The Peterborough Lakers can sweep the Brooklin Redmen

August 9, 2012

Lakers defeat Brooklin 11-8 and can sweep the series at home for game four. 

Cory Vitarelli talks during 1st intermission
with host/colour commentator Michelle Farrugia

Leading up to game three, all the talk had surrounded the play of Lakers crease man Cory Vitarelli. His physical play in front and around the crease has been a big part of the Lakers success. He has tallied eight goals and four assists in the the first two games.

To Game three, which was the most entertaining game.

John Grant opened the scoring for the Lakers and then on the ensuing play things get testy as a crowd gathers and Vitarelli has his helmet punched off by Scott Gamble who continued to go after Vitarelli with punches. Players piled up and and got tied up and the  officials did their best to split things up.

The penalty box was a busy spot and players were packed in like sardines. Peterborough had Grant, Matt Giles, Evans and Jamie Lincoln  in the box and Brooklin's big men Jeff Gilbert, John Durno and Kyle Matisz were stuffed in the other side.

Like game one the first period was drawn out with penalties and the score at the end was 5-2 but this time in favour of the Laker favour and they held onto the lead for the rest of the night.

Shawn Evans curls away from Derek Suddons.
Evans leads the playoffs points with 10gs, 18as.

Brooklin tried to get Peterborough off their game by luring them into the rough stuff but to the Lakers credit they stayed away from that and played lacrosse.

Things looked like they were going to get rough as Scott Evans shook his mitts at Gamble trying to even the score for the Vitarelli assault. But Evans invite was ignored as Gamble tried to look the other way.

To the third period and  with under a minute to go. Brooklin’s Shawn Williams went on a slashing spree. Chopping Jim Purves a couple times. The two went face-to-face and it looked like a fight might happen but it didn't. On the next whistle Williams chopped Shawn Evans and the two traded a couple of good slashes. At that point nothing more developed and the Lakers would take game three 11-8.

Tracey Kelusky has a shot on the crease
and Cory Vitarelli gets into a passing lane.

Shawn Evans led the way with four and four, Grant finished with a hat trick and one assist. Jamie Lincoln had two and one. Mark Steeinhuis a goal and two assists. John Tavares had three helpers. Kyle Sorensen scored one as well.

Tyler Carlson played strong in net for the Lakers and made some big saves down the stretch to keep the Lakers in it. Brooklin spent most of the game trailing by two or more goals but they inched back in and made it a one goal game midway through the third. Scoring a a long outside underhand was Williams making the score 9-8.
The game remained close until Evans scored his fourth of the game to make it 10-8 with under 90 seconds to play. Kyle Sorensen added a late goal.

The Lakers are undefeated so far these playoffs, outscoring their opponents 80-46 averaging just better than 13 goals for and allowing fewer that 8 against in six games.

The Lakers take a three game series lead with game four back in Peterborough Monday night 8 PM and the PMC.

Mark Steenhuis drags his way to the net.