Five-Goal Third Period Powers Oakville Past Peterborough to Even Series

By Gary Groob 

The Oakville Rock visited the Peterborough Lakers in game two of the Major Series Lacrosse semi-finals Thursday night at the Memorial Centre in Peterborough, Ontario, sponsored by Bergmanis Preyra LLP. 

The goaltending match-up had Landon Kells in net for the Rock facing Drew Hutchison in net for the Lakers. 

The Oakville Rock jumped out to a commanding 4-0 first-period lead and then weathered a furious Peterborough Lakers comeback to earn an 11-5 victory Thursday night at the Memorial Centre, evening their Major Series Lacrosse semi-final series at one game apiece. Josh Dawick scored twice in the opening period, while Sam LeClair and Justin Tavares also found the net as Oakville controlled the opening 20 minutes. Peterborough responded in the second, scoring three straight to pull within one before Thomas Hoggarth completed a hat trick with back-to-back goals late in the period, sending the Lakers into the second intermission trailing just 6-5.

Oakville slammed the door in the third period, holding Peterborough scoreless while striking five times to put the game away. Alex Simmons took over with three goals in the final frame to complete a four-goal performance, while Justin Tavares added two more to cap a big night of his own. Landon Kells was outstanding in the Rock net, particularly as Peterborough applied pressure during its second-period comeback, helping Oakville secure the 11-5 win. 

To The Game:

The Rock got rolling early with Josh Dawick converting a Carson Moyer pass at 1:10, followed by Sam LeClair finishing an Alex Simmons feed at 2:18.  

Justin Tavares then blasted a LeClair pass at 9:38, followed by Josh Dawick on the power-play with his second of the game off a Tavares feed at 18:04.

After one period, Oakville 4 Peterborough 0.
Shots on goal favored the Rock 22-13.

Second Period:

The Lakers started strong in the second period with Thomas Hoggarth scoring from the top of the crease off a Rob Hellyer feed at 1:24, followed by Ryan Lanchbury finishing a Colton Armitage pass 21 seconds later.   Holden Cattoni then brought Peterborough within one with a howitzer from the outside off a Mike Robinson pass at 6:08.

Justin Tavares stopped the Lakers' momentum with a blast off a Sam LeClair pass at 12:38, followed by Alex Simmons with a great individual effort off a Justin Lee feed at 13:35.

The Lakers fought back with back-to-back tallies from Thomas Hoggarth.  The first from in close off a Justin Sykes pass at 17:58, followed by a sidearm snipe from the top of the crease also off a Sykes feed 39 seconds later. 

After two periods, Oakville 6 Peterborough 5.
Shots on goal favored the Lakers 19-13.

Third Period:

Alex Simmons opened the third period scoring for Oakville with a blast off a Carson Moyer pass at 4:32, followed by Justin Tavares with a low-to-low laser also off a Carson Moyer pass at 5:43.

Alex Simmons scored his third of the game off a beautiful pass from Justin Tavares at 13:38, followed by an unassisted tally off a turnover at 16:25.  Justin Tavares added a late marker off an Alex Simmons feed at 17:35.

Final score, Oakville 11 Peterborough 5.
Shots on goal favored the Rock 18-17, for a game total of 54-49 in favor of Oakville. 

The Three Stars:

1. Alex Simmons 
2. Justin Tavares 
3. Landon Kells 

The Oakville Rock tied the series 1-1.  Game three is set to go Saturday evening at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, Ontario at 7 p.m. 

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