Peterborough Lakers defeat Brooklin Redmen 10-8

The Peterborough Lakers began their MSL semifinal series with first place Brooklin Redmen on Sunday. The Lakers got off to a rocky start taking 23 minutes in penalties in the opening period and trailed 5-2 after a long drawn out first period that took nearly 45 minutes to finish.

 Officials had to stop play on a number of occasions and huddled at the timekeepers box to make sure all the penalties added up.

Mac Allen had five minutes for fighting, Shawn Evans took a slashing penalty behind the play, giving Brooklin goalie Aaron Bold a slash on the fibres that may of sounded bad but wouldn't hurt a cat. Kyle Sorensen's cross check rolled up Bold's shoulder and caught him in the neck and Mark Steenhuis took himself out of the first period spending six minutes in the box.

Before all the penalties there was still a lacrosse game being player and Brooklin got up three quick goals. Shawn Williams drove his man low and set a pick and allowed a gap for Scott Campbell to roll in and score on the teams first possession.

The Lakers transition got things rolling offensively for the Lakers. Brad Self took the down the floor on  a two on one and found Steenhuis streaking through in the slot who beat Bold, squeezing a shot over his should. Self then took an outlet pass from goalie Kevin Crosswell and Self finished the breakaway with an underhand shot between the legs.

Brooklin scored two more goals to end the first period with a 5-2 lead.

Brooklin came out the same way they did in the first, scoring on their first shot. Jamie Batley made the call to pull Crosswell for Tyler Carlson and the move paid off.

The Lakers rallied defensively allowing fewer shots and Carlson allowed only two goals in the final 39 minutes of play.

Stepping it up on offense for the Lakers was Cory Vitarelli, creating havoc around the crease, forcing turnovers and picking up loose balls on the doorstep and scoring a hat trick. Josh Wasson also scored and the Lakers led 7-6.

The third saw the Lakers outscore the Redmen 3-2. Picking up his second goal of the game was Steenhuis and Jamie Lincoln and Allen had a goal apiece.

Carlson played well off the bench. The Lakers defence kept on their toes and forced the Redmen away from the middle of the floor and out of their comfort range.

The Lakers played their best team game on offense. Moving the ball well, rotating, always running, setting picks and wearing out the Brooklin defenders.

Three Stars:

1st star - Cory Vitarelli: 3 goals and his spirited play around the net,  forcing turnovers on the crease. His best goal was a turnover steal from Bold and Viatrelli circled the net with the ball and slammed a shot lo.  Self set up Vitarelli in the slot for his first of the game, an outside one timer and his third goal came with under a minute to go in the second giving the Lakers a 7-6 lead.

2nd star - Mac Allen: had a fight in the first and then played a full out strong defensive game. bringing the action to Brooklin and making it hard for their players to their shots and creating turnovers.

3rd star - Tyler Carlson came in for relief early in the second and allowed just two goals in 39 minutes of play.

Out of the lineup was John Grant Jr, Tracy Kelusky and Scott Evans.

Game two is Tuesday 8pm at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Sport fans and bookworms, you will enjoy this story called "Stickman" written by Don Barrie.  A book  about a troubled boy who finds his way with the help of lacrosse but finds out that his troubled past seems to catch up with him.

It's a great read and lacrosse fans will especially like it. You can purchase the book at the Laker games and get it autographed if you find Don, usually in the northeast corner of the Memorial Centre.