Chiefs Roll Past Lakers 11–5 in MSL Finals Opener

By Gary Groob 

Sponsored by Bergmanis Preyra LLP 

The Peterborough Lakers traveled west to face the Six Nations Chiefs in Game One of the Major Series Lacrosse Finals at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Hagersville, Ontario. 

The goaltending matchup had Drew Hutchison in net for the Lakers facing Doug Jamieson in net for Six Nations. 

The Six Nations Chiefs took control early and never looked back, defeating the Peterborough Lakers 11–5 in Game One of the Major Series Lacrosse Finals at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. Ryan Smith powered the Chiefs with three goals and three assists as Six Nations built leads of 6–2 after the first period and 9–2 after two.

Peterborough mounted a three-goal push in the third period, but power-play goals from Lyle Thompson and Chris Cloutier halted the comeback. Dhane Smith and Josh Byrne each recorded five points for the Chiefs, who now lead the best-of-seven series 1–0 heading into Game Two in Peterborough.

To The Game:

The Chiefs got on the board quickly with Ryan Smith scoring from the inside off a Dhane Smith pass at 48 seconds, followed by a high-to-high blast to the top corner off a Chris Cloutier feed at 1:14.

The Lakers cut the lead in half with Thomas Hoggarth firing a shot shortside off a Ryan Lanchbury pass at 2:10.

 Ian MacKay answered with a low blast off a Matt Hossack pass in transition at 6:39, followed by Randy Staats increasing the Chiefs' lead with a shot through the five-hole off a Dhane Smith pass at 7:27.

Rob Hellyer got the Lakers back on the board dancing across the top of the crease off a Matt Gilray pass at 13:45, but Dhane Smith replied all alone in front off a Brad Kri pass in transition at 17:02.  Ryan Smith then scored his second of the period off a Josh Byrne feed 36 seconds later low to the corner.

Peterborough replaced Drew Hutchison with Nick Rose in net.

After one period, Six Nations 6, Peterborough 2.

Second Period:

After a chippy start to the period, Josh Byrne increased the Six Nations' lead with a howitzer off a Randy Staats pass at 6:54, followed by Ryan Smith with a great individual effort, unassisted, at 9:32.  Josh Byrne then added a low-to-low shot from in front of the net off a Chris Cloutier pass at 18:51.

The period was certainly feisty, with 32 minutes of penalties issued in the frame.

After two periods, Six Nations 9, Peterborough 2.

Third Period:

Ryan Lanchbury opened the third period scoring for the Lakers with a low bounced shot to the corner on a great individual effort, coming from the corner unassisted at 3:47, followed by Rob Hellyer with an absolute laser from the outside off a Colton Armitage pass at 8:15.  Thomas Hoggarth then added a goal from the side of the net off a Colton Armstrong rebound at 9:15.  

Lyle Thompson answered on the power play, stopping Peterborough's momentum with a blast off a Josh Byrne pass at 12:49, followed by Chris Cloutier on the power play with a sidearm snipe off a Dhane Smith pass at 17:04.

Final score: Six Nations 11, Peterborough 5.

The Three Stars:

1. Ryan Smith 
2. Dhane Smith 
3. Josh Byrne 

Six Nations leads the best-of-seven series 1-0 with game two scheduled for Thursday, August 20th at the Memorial Centre in Peterborough, Ontario.  Game time is 8 p.m.

You can watch every minute of MSL action on FloLive - https://flosports.link/MSL