Lakers down Thunder 9-5 and can win Mann Cup tonight

The Peterborough Lakers are one win away from capturing the 2012 Mann Cup championship.

After trailing two games to none, the Lakers have bounced back, winning three straight and defeating the Langley Thunder 9-5 in game five and can now close out the series on Saturday night.

Langley Thunder came out strong and built an early 4-0 lead but tables would turn in the second as the Lakers scored seven straight goals and held Langley scoreless, taking a 7-4 lead into the final frame.

Mike Thompson came up big again in the Lakers net, allowing only one goal against in the final two periods.

“That is kind of the perfect picture as to who we really are,” said Thompson. “We don’t usually do things the easy way and we had a tough first period but we made some adjustments and came out strong offensively and defensively."

Langley had three goals called back in the crease and looked frustrated on offense but the team isn’t hanging their heads in defeat, they know they can play better.

“We had a great start tonight but we let a little bit of the process slip,” said Langley coach Darcy Rhodes. “But there is nothing that is going to stop this team. We are going to come out firing, guns a blazing tomorrow and we’re all pretty excited about it.”

The Lakers know Langley will come out and play their best tonight, as they look to force a possible game seven.

“It was a reality check being down four nothing in the first,” said Lakers defender Andrew Suitor.  “I think our offence were able to pick it up and our defense found another gear we haven’t found all series.”

The Lakers can close out the series Saturday night and capture another Mann Cup.

“I think you are going to see the best out of both teams come tomorrow (Saturday),” said Suitor. “I have all the confidence that we can come out on top and hopefully end this thing tomorrow but by no means is it going to be a 15-4 type game and if were not ready they are going to come in here and we’ll have to play Sunday.” 

Before the game both head coaches were suspended for the remainder of the series for their conduct with Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports (CCES) doping officials.

CCES present games two and four, administering random drug tests.

Both teams failed to fully co-operate with the CCES officials and didn't allow the officials direct access to their change-rooms and players.

Rod Jensen and Jamie Batley were suspended for the remaining three games of the series but have both written a letter of appeal.

This is the first time drug testing has taken place at the Mann Cup and the CLA who handed down the three game suspension have to be accountable for the mistakes. The CLA should have done a better job educating the teams on the proper protocol and how to handle the drug officials.