Birkhof’s Late Winner Lifts Lakers Past Chiefs to Even MSL Finals

By Gary Groob 
Sponsored by Bergmanis Preyra LLP 

The Six Nations Chiefs traveled east to face the Peterborough Lakers in Game Two of the Major Series Lacrosse Finals at the Memorial Centre in Peterborough, Ontario. 

The goaltending matchup had Nick Rose in net for the Lakers facing Warren Hill in net for Six Nations. 

The Peterborough Lakers battled back from an early two-goal deficit to defeat the Six Nations Chiefs 9–8 in Game Two of the Major Series Lacrosse Finals at the Memorial Centre. The teams traded goals throughout a fast-paced opening period before late markers from Lyle Thompson and Chris Cloutier gave Six Nations a 6–4 advantage. Braedon Saris struck twice early in the second period to pull Peterborough even, but goals from Shayne Jackson and Thompson restored the Chiefs’ lead. Rob Hellyer’s power-play marker brought the Lakers within one heading into the final period.

After nearly 10 minutes of scoreless, end-to-end action in the third, Ryan Lanchbury fired an outside laser to tie the game at 8–8. Dustyn Birkhof then delivered the game-winner at 15:40, racing down the floor in transition and beating Warren Hill with a low shot. Nick Rose and the Lakers’ defence shut the door the rest of the way, giving Peterborough a thrilling 9–8 victory and evening the best-of-seven championship series at one game apiece.

To The Game:

Shayne Jackson opened the scoring in transition with a bounced shot off a Tyson Bell pass at 3:16, but an outside shot from Rob Hellyer off a Justin Sykes feed at 4:54 tied the game.

On a delayed penalty, Cody Jamieson used a screen for a sidearm snipe to the far corner off a Chris Cloutier pass at 5:43, but a twister from Taite Cattoni from in close off a Ryan Lanchbury pass at 9:06 again knotted the game up.

Chris Cloutier once again regained the Chiefs' lead in transition, converting a dart of a pass from Ian MacKay at 13:17, but Taite Cattoni's second of the period off a Thomas Hoggarth pass 21 seconds later had the Lakers even again.

Peterborough took their first lead of the night on a quick stick from Colton Armitage on the power-play off a Braedon Saris pass at 15:49, but Shayne Jackson's second of the night off a Chris Cloutier pass at 18:18 had the game tied again.  

Lyle Thompson then blasted a shot off a loose ball pickup 30 seconds later for a Chiefs' lead, followed by Chris Cloutier from the top of the crease unassisted at 19:36.

After one period, Six Nations 6, Peterborough 4.
Shots on goal favored The Lakers 18-15.

Second Period:

Braedon Saris got the Lakers within one, firing a howitzer off a Ryan Lanchbury pass at 2:14, then hit another outside laser off a Thomas Hoggarth pass at 3:43 to tie the game.

Shayne Jackson dove from behind the net to give Six Nations the lead once again off a Josh Byrne pass at 11:23, followed by Lyle Thompson with a sidearm snipe off a Cody Jamieson pass at 15:44.

Rob Hellyer got Peterborough within one again on the power-play with a low bouncer off a Taite Cattoni pass at 16:33.

After two periods, Six Nations 8, Peterborough 7.
Shots on goal favored the Chiefs 20-16.

Third Period:

After nearly half a period of end-to-end action without a goal, Ryan Lanchbury tied the game on a delayed penalty, firing an outside laser off a Thomas Hoggarth pass at 9:55.

Dustyn Birkhof then gave Peterborough the lead at 15:40, racing down the floor in transition before beating Warren Hill with a low laser for the unassisted game-winning goal.

The Lakers held off the Chiefs the rest of the way to complete the comeback and even the series.

Final score, Peterborough 9, Six Nations 8.
Shots on goal favored the Lakers 14-12, for a game total of 48-47 in favor of the Lakers. 

The Three Stars:

1. Rob Hellyer 
2. Shayne Jackson 
3. Thomas Hoggarth 

The Lakers tie the series 1-1 with game three slated to go Sunday evening at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena.   Game time is 7 p.m.

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