Chiefs Pull Away From Lakers to Take 2-1 Lead in MSL Finals

By Gary Groob 

Sponsored by Bergmanis Preyra LLP 
The Peterborough Lakers traveled west to face the Six Nations Chiefs in Game Three of the Major Series Lacrosse Finals at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Hagersville, Ontario. 

The goaltending matchup had Nick Rose in net for the Lakers facing Doug Jamieson in net for the Chiefs. 

The Six Nations Chiefs overcame an early two-goal deficit to defeat the Peterborough Lakers 12-9 in Game Three of the Major Series Lacrosse Finals. Peterborough carried a 4-2 advantage into the first intermission behind two goals from Rob Hellyer and a pair from Justin Sykes, but the Chiefs changed the complexion of the game with a dominant second period. Six Nations scored seven times in the middle frame, including two goals from Andrew Kew, to take a 9-6 lead into the third.

The Lakers pulled within two goals twice during the final period, but Josh Byrne’s power-play marker and late empty-net goals from Tyson Bell and Graeme Hossack secured the victory. Byrne earned first-star honours, while Hellyer and Kew were named the second and third stars. Six Nations now leads the best-of-seven championship series 2-1, with Game Four set for Tuesday night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

To The Game:

The Chiefs got on the board quickly with Chris Cloutier finding Josh Byrne for a quick stick 1:11 into the game, followed by Ryan Smith with a shot from in close on the power-play off a Byrne feed at 3:51.

The Lakers cut the lead in half with Justin Sykes scoring off a Taite Cattoni pass at 4:19, followed by Rob Hellyer blasting a Brad McCulley feed at 4:46, tying the affair.

Peterborough took the lead with Rob Hellyer firing a rope from the outside off a Colton Armitage pass at 9:10, followed by Justin Sykes scoring his second of the period from the top of the crease off a Liam Patten feed in transition at 18:11.

After one period, Peterborough 4, Six Nations 2.

Second Period:

Six Nations opened the second period scoring with a pretty tic-tac-toe play, starting with Tyson Bell finding Dhane Smith and finishing with Chris Cloutier converting a quick stick at 2:57.  The Chiefs then tied the game with Dhane Smith finding Shayne Jackson in transition at 5:59.

Thomas Hoggarth gave the Lakers the lead once more with a shot from in close at 6:21, but Andrew Kew launched a howitzer from the outside off a Brad Kri pass at 8:26.

Ryan Smith gave Six Nations the lead once more on a great individual effort at 9:21, followed by Randy Staats on the power-play converting a Dhane Smith feed at 9:57.

Andrew Kew blasted a high-to-low rocket at 11:35, but Braedon Saris replied with a low laser beating Doug Jamieson to the short side at 15:22.

Lyle Thompson added a late goal coming across the crease at 19:36.

After two periods, Six Nations 9, Peterborough 6.

Third Period:

Rob Hellyer opened the third period scoring with a blast off a Thomas Hoggarth pass at 7:21, but Josh Byrne answered on the power-play with a sidearm snipe off a Shayne Jackson feed at 11:32.

The Lakers pulled closer with Ryan Lanchbury finishing a Colton Armstrong pass at 17:13, but an empty-net marker from Tyson Bell at 18:31 kept the lead at three.

Peterborough got one more from Brad McCulley with a bounced shot at 19:01, but another empty-net tally from Graeme Hossack at 19:29 sealed the victory. 

Final score, Six Nations 12, Peterborough 9.

The Three Stars:

1. Josh Byrne 
2. Rob Hellyer 
3. Andrew Kew 

Six Nations leads the best-of-seven series 2-1, with game four scheduled for Tuesday, August 25th, at the Memorial Centre in Peterborough, Ontario.  Game time is 8 p.m.

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