Lakers Get Dumped!

The Lakers had nothing to lose except the game itself.

A Recap of the Action:

Brampton got things rolling and went up two goals early. It was then midway into the first the Lakers would get on the board with a powerply marker by John Tavares. Brampton would extend the lead to 2 goals again, but only momentarily as Scott Evans would bury one in close and bring the deficit back to one, Evy pocketed the goal with only 3.2 secs to go in the period.

The 2nd period would start late. It was speculated Chief official Gardonio, was plugged up with a stubborn bout of constipation. He needed to be checked out by the Doctor. He would return 10 pounds lighter and the game could resume. It was mentioned the constipation may have led to his early whistle-blowing, for he may of been trying to loosen the large intestine by blowing down on the whistle -- we don't know for sure. Gardonio wasn't available for comment after the game and I wasn't going there!

When the period begun, Brampton would get the scoring going early, McClure pocketed one on a nice individual move, a little dip and dunk, to retain another two goal lead. That gap would be closed quickly. The Lakers caught Shawn "Baby" Evans who riffled one underhand past Cosmo. But, Brampton would go on a 3 goal run and extend it to a 4 goal lead, their largest of the game. Peterborough would pull starting goalie Angus Goodleaf in favour of new-comer Pat Campbell. This move seemed to spark the Lakers as they would go on their own 3 goal run and escape the 2nd period down 7-6.

To the 3rd, Mark Steinhuis would tie things up with a cross crease goal. The Lakers goalie Campbell looked good in relief he would make some big saves and pull in a handful of loose balls in front of the crease. He was the Lakers MVP of the game and he kept it close until Brampton would go on a 3 goal run again. John Grant Jr. had many chances, however he seemed infatuated with Cosmos five hole but couldn't put one by him until he went bottom corner and the Lakers would leave it at that. They just didn't have the fight in them. While down 10-8 and the goalie pulled the Lakers would give up an empty net goal and Brampton would get a crucial 11-8 victory.

Brampton deserved the win tonight. They had more consistency between the pipes and their offence was connecting. The Lakers looked sloppy and forced many turnovers. There were 3,169 fans on hand. The fan comment of the game was, "Scott (Evans) has put on a lot of weight since last season". But in Scott's defence the entire team looked sluggish.

Going into tonights game the Lakers had first place locked up already and a bye into the 2nd round of playoffs. Brampton had much more on the line. They are still battling it out with Brooklyn for 2nd place.

A look at the standings. Brampton and Brooklyn both sit in 2nd with 24 points and 1 game. Brampton finish vs Six Nations and Brooklyn take on Ajax. If Brampton and Brooklyn both lose their final games and Six Nations wins out; we could then have all 3 teams with 24 points in a tie for second.

Peterborough will get a well deserved break.

The Jr A Lakers are in the playoffs they are taking on the Orangeville Northmen in the 2nd round of the OLA Jr A series Lacrosse.

Lakers win 2 On the Road

Six Nations - The Lakers were in Six Nations Saturday afternoon and managed to pick up a crucial but controversial victory. The game was called early...Why, what..how? you might ask, well the answer is one for the story books.

Here's what happened: Midway thru the 3rd period chief referee Sett and Holingsworth called a stoppage to the game as they had to kick out the time keeper and no replacement could be found. At that point in the game the score was 10-8 in favour of the Lakers.

10:02 into the the 3rd period, Six Nations player Craig Conn was given an illegal cross-checking penalty. The Six Nations bench was not pleased with the call and nor was Conn. They were fed up. The officials at this point had already kicked Lakers Coach Batley out of the game for questioning a call early in the first period. It seemed the ref would not allow any dialogue between himself, te players and the coaches. I had never seen anything like it. Now, Conn was given an extra unsportsmanlike penalty and then he was also given a game misconduct and ejected.

Already, Six Nations defender Billy Dee Smith had been given an unpsortsman-like penalty for arguing a call. Six Nations were livid. They couldn't believe it. The official wasn't going to listen to anybody. It only got worse, Six Nations Cody Jamieson, who had also previously been given an unsportsman-like penalty took objection to the call and he was also given a 2nd unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and then further a gross misconduct call and was ejected from the game. At this point the referee tried to go to the penalty box and report the calls to time keeper but the time keeper wouldn't listen to the official, the time keeper was fed up as well and while the referee was reporting the calls to him thru the peep hole in the glass, the timekeeper gave him "the middle-finger". The official and the time keeper had some words. The referee asked the time keeper to co-operate but the them time keeper again gave the ref the one finger salute again!

So even he the time keeper was ejected from the game. At this point the referee gave the Six Nations team 5 minutes to find a replacement timekeeper but nobody would be found and the game was called with just under 10 minutes to go in the 3rd period. As the Lakers were gathered at their bench the ref's came over and said the game was finished they didn't waste anytime hitting the showers. The Lakers get 2 hard fought points after trailing 7-5 at the end of 2 periods of play.

Kitchener - The Lakers then travelled to Kitchener-Waterloo on tuesday night and defeated the Kodiaks 11-9. Shots on goal were even 49-48 favouring the Lakers. Kevin Crosswell got the win in the net. Newly acquired goaltender Pat Campbell was the back-up for the Lakers. (He was acquired in a trade from Ajax for Steve Hutchins and a draft pick) John Tavares had 3 goals and 3 assists. Tracey Kelusky had 2g's and 3a's, transition horse Brad Self had 2 goals and Gavin Prout was back in the line-up and had a shorthanded goal.

Next actions for the Lakers Thursday night at the Memorial Centre where they host the last place Ajax (should be Sr. B) Rock.

Lakers Double Brooklyn 14-7

Peterborough-Lakers looked to send a message last night after loosing their first home game of the season tuesday night to the Six Nations Chiefs. The Lakers came out strong thursday night before a crowd of over 3,000 and delivered a commanding 14-7 blowout of the Brooklyn Redmen. With the victory last night the Lakers move back into a tie for first place in the MSL with the Redmen. The Lakers and Redmen have been in a see-saw battle for top spot since the early goings but the Redmen have largely been overachieving as the other top clubs like Six Nations, Brampton and Peterborough have been missing key players early on. The Laker had a few key players defensively back in the line-up last night, specifically Mac Allen, a tenacious defender who can pressure the ball anywhere on the floor and can win face-offs, going 4 for 5 last night.

The Lakers were first to get on the score sheet, Lakers Kyle Sorensen and Allen both took penalties 25 seconds into the game. The intimidation factor? I dunno, the Lakers managed to score one with two men down, as Steenhuis got loose in front of the net and Shawn Evans made a nice pass from John Tavares. The Lakers would go into the the first intermission with a 4-2 lead. (It should of been 4-1 but the Lakers managed to push one into their own net).

The Lakers continued to look strong and Brooklyn looked like they all needed a nap. (Brooklyn played a game the night before vs Kitchener but still can't compete at the Lakers level). After 2 periods of play it was 9-5. Peterborough would outscore Brooklyn 6-2 in the final period and get the victory.

Lakers face-off specialist Jeff Snider had some early success in the face-off circle finishing 9-15. I believe Snider could of went 15-15 but the difference being, the face-offs Snider lost, he in fact controlled the draw but it was Brooklyn who got to the loose ball first. Instead of lining up beside their man on the line, the Lakers kept only 1 man on the wing and the other 3 players all cherry picked near the offensive crease, well behind their brooklyn counterparts. It was stupid, and the players and Coach Batley only adjusted this when the Lakers had Mac Allen was taking the draws.

The Lakers out-shot the Redmen 60 -46. Angus Goodleaf was given the start for the Lakers this game and made 39 saves and getting his 4th win of the season.

Next game for the Lakers is this saturday when they travel to Six Nations. They return home next thursday to face the Ajax Rock.