Lakers even series with Thunder and win game four 9-8

The Peterborough Lakers have come back from a two nothing deficit to even the Mann Cup series at two games apiece, after squeaking out a 9-8 victory over Langley Thunder in game four.

The Lakers have stepped up their play in front of goaltender Mike Thompson who came in to relieve Tyler Carlson early in game three.

“Mikey came in and helped turn things around for us in game three,” said Lakers forward Mark Steenhuis. “He’s saving the majority of them and has helped us get in a groove. We made a few adjustments on defensive end, as far as where we want to push our opponents on the floor, its working right now but I think we can still clean it up and have some more success.”

Discipline has been a problem for the Lakers throughout the series. They have cleaned up their play and taken fewer penalties but the Thunder power play was perfect, going three for three in game four. Steenhuis admits his team needs to stay out of the box.

“We dug a bit of a grave with the penalties,” said Steenhuis. “It has been tough this whole series trying to get to know what the refs are going to call and not call.”

Langley head coach Rod Jensen thought his team lacked the consistent effort needed to be successful; he credited the Lakers defence for stepping up.

“We can’t have 10 or 12 unforced errors offensively against a team like this,” said Jensen. “We have to limit their second chances and anticipate where the ball is going. When they shoot we can’t spectate. We need to find the ball and go get it like a pack of wolves.”

Langley gave up a power play opportunity early on, when they called Lakers goalie Mike Thompson for illegal equipment. The call backfired, Thompson was legal and Langley were assessed a delay of the game penlalty.

 “I don’t like to call goalies,” said Jensen. “But our goalie was convinced his shoulder pads were too big.”

The Lakers have played better in their own end holding Langley under 10 goals in both game three and four victories.

“For whatever reason we thought we had to adapt and play a different system that we played all playoffs,” said Lakes assistant captain Tracey Kelusky. “Bat’s addressed that and we went back to the basic defence we have been playing all playoffs.”

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John Grant Jr moved into second place all-time in Mann Cup scoring passing CLA Hal of Famer Geordie Dean (67-94-161).  Grant has 71 goals and 93 assists for 164 points. He trails John Tavares  who is a sitting a point shy of 200 with 91 goals and 81 assists.