Lakers Cruise Past NorthStars in Chippy 13-5 Victory

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers Instagram page.

By Gary Groob 

The Owen Sound NorthStars (1-11) traveled east to face the Peterborough Lakers (7-6) in Major Series Lacrosse action Thursday night at the Memorial Centre in Peterborough, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Kaleb Martin in net for the NorthStars facing Deacan Knott in net for the Lakers. 

Peterborough took control almost immediately and never looked back, building a five-goal first-period lead before erupting for seven more in a wild second period en route to a convincing 13-5 win over Owen Sound on Thursday night. The Lakers' offense was firing on all cylinders, led by Holden Cattoni, Braedon Saris, Mike Robinson, Daniel Clark and Rob Hellyer, while Deacan Knott was solid early before an eventful second period saw both starting goaltenders ejected following a series of altercations that included a rare goalie fight.

The game turned increasingly physical as frustrations boiled over late in the second period, resulting in multiple fights and forcing both clubs to finish the game with emergency netminders after Deacan Knott, Andrew Kidd and Kaleb Martin were all ejected. Despite a stronger third period from Owen Sound, including goals from Jeremy Searle, Riley Ford and Josh Rosa, the damage had long been done as Peterborough's balanced attack and dominant special teams powered the Lakers to a decisive victory.

To The Game:

The Lakers got on the board first on the power-play when Holden Cattoni blasted a Braedon Saris pass from the outside at 2:46, followed by Mike Robinson with a dive from behind the net off a Saris feed as well at 3:27.

Justin Sykes increased the lead with a blast off a Rob Hellyer feed at 8:03, followed by Holden Cattoni on the power-play with a howitzer off a Braedon Saris dish at 10:23.  Rob Hellyer then hit a bounced shot from the outside off a Thomas Hoggarth feed at 17:51.

After one period, Peterborough 5 Owen Sound 0.

Shots on goal favored the Lakers 26-11.

Second Period:

Braedon Saris opened the second period scoring for the Lakers on the power-play off a Holden Cattoni pass at 29 seconds, followed by Mike Robinson scoring 8 seconds later off a Jake Withers rebound.

Daniel Clark then added another goal off a Jake Withers faceoff win at 46 seconds. 

Kaleb Martin was replaced in the NorthStars net with Andrew Kidd.

Dustyn Birkhof welcomed Kidd to the game with a blast off a Thomas Hoggarth pass at 4:16, followed by Braedon Saris with a bounced shot off a Thomas Hoggarth pass at 12:51.  Daniel Clark added yet another on a bounced shot off a Dustyn Birkhof feed at 13:13.  

The NorthStars finally got on the board when Austin Blumbergs scored shorthanded with a bounced shot to the shortside off a Greg Elijah-Brown pass at 15:12, followed by a power-play marker again by Blumbergs off an Elijah-Brown pass again at 17:29.

Tempers boiled over with 1:18 remaining in the period.  A number of small tilts, plus a goalie fight between Deacan Knott and Andrew Kidd, as well as Kaleb Martin coming off the bench to fight Jake Withers.

Nick Rose went in the Lakers net, and Owen Sound had Tyler Halls dress in Kaleb Martin's uniform to go in net, since both goalies were ejected.

After two periods, Peterborough 12 Owen Sound 2.

Shots on goal favored the Lakers 21-15.

Third Period:

The NorthStars got on the board on the power-play with Jeremy Searle converting a Riley Ford pass at 14 seconds, but Rob Hellyer scored off a Mike Robinson rebound at 6:18 to keep the Lakers firmly in control.

Riley Ford scored on a deflection beating Nick Rose off a Tyler Halls long lead pass at 9:32, followed by Josh Rosa on the power-play with a highlight-reel goal with a one handed shot to the far side unassisted at 15:30.

Final score, Peterborough 13 Owen Sound 5.

Shots on goal favored the NorthStars 15-12, for a game total of 59-43 in favor of the Lakers. 

The Three Stars:

1. Rob Hellyer 

2. Braedon Saris 

3. Mike Robinson 

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