The Laker's came out and scored the first goal. With a minute in, Scott Self puts one top shelf. Six Nations would soon tie it up, as Colin Doyle slips Roger Vyse the ball and he slips a back hander low past Goodleaf. Then 4-0n-4, it's a case of deja-vu with Doyle feeding Vyse once again for his second of the period. Referee, Grant Spies, fails to blow his whistle twice, ignoring blatant calls while instead focused on chewing his gum and looking the other direction. He needs to either get rid of the whistle and just watch the game - or toss the gum and do some refereeing. Behind 2-1 in the dying seconds of the first period, the Lakers Gavin Prout makes a last diving attempt across the crease and nets one, but Referee McCauley is quick to call him in the crease. The Laker fans disagreed, but the period ends with the Chiefs up 2-1.
The Lakers would shut out the Chiefs in the 2nd and score 5 of their own. It is John Grant Jr who would start it and finish it off, shuffling from the back of the net to the crease and scores to even the game at 2-2. The Lakers take back the lead as Mark Steenhuis scores one in transition from Kyle Sorenson. Then 20 seconds later it is Grant Jr forcing a turnover deep in the Chiefs zone and puts one in for his 2nd of the game. With a 2 goal lead the Lakers get ruffed up, not by the Chiefs but the ref's. Spies spits out his gum and McCauley get's his mind of managing the game and The Lakers are forced into killing two 5-0n-3's power plays. They would also get the short end of the stick on a few weak possession calls. Baby Evans gives the fans something to cheer about putting the lakers up by 3 as he lets a rocket goal sail past the goalie. The Lakers would get another goal from Grant Jr, with an outside skipper that fools Chiefs goalie Poulin.
In the 3rd, down 7-2 the Chiefs would get on the board, it is Garret Billings with a backhand that finds the back of the net. The Lakers get one back with Geoff Snider burying one on a breakaway. Then a few minutes later, Cory Vitarelli, keeps the play alive on a loose ball in the corner, coming to help is Tracy Kelusky who scoops up the loose ball and finds Shawn Evans in front of the goal for his second of the game. John Grant Jr would score his 3rd of the game on the power play and then the Chiefs elect to pull Poulin in favour of Vinc. Down 9-3 the chiefs pull the goalie and try to get their offence going but it is little too late and Steve Toll puts the empty netter to make it 10-3. We might hear of Billy Dee Smith spending a night or two in the drunk tank after this one, or possibly appearing live on Jerry Springer. In typical fashion, the loose canon went off the handle even going after his own brother-in-law, and then with 4 seconds left trying to take on the Sorenson brothers, and the entire Lakers bench. What a mess. The ref's called the game after that. I wonder if Billy Dee's players and his friends get tired of picking up after him? He made a fool of himself tonight trying to fight his way to some personal victory, but what a failure and an embarrassing scene. He could be a great player if he would take the high road but instead he failed. So did former Laker Ryan Cousins, who tried to fight his way out of the game.
The Lakers now await the winner of the Brampton/Brooklyn series.
For Peterborough, they have won the Ontario title 5 times in the last 10 years --to note, the other 5 victories have gone to Brampton. (I bet we'll see them square off again this year). Out West, the New Westminster Salmon Bellies are squaring off in a best of 7 series with Langley Thunder. The Salmon Bellies lost to the Lakers last year in the Canadian Mann Cup Championships.
Brampton/Brooklyn series is already over!
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