Lakers Defeat Rock, Now Face Six Nations in MSL Finals

By Gary Groob 

This game recap is sponsored by Bergmanis Preyra LLP.

The Oakville Rock traveled east to face the Peterborough Lakers in game four of the Major Series Lacrosse semi-finals at the Memorial Centre in Peterborough, Ontario.

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

The Peterborough Lakers defeated the Oakville Rock 14–8 in Game 4 of their Major Series Lacrosse semifinal at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, winning the best-of-five series 3–1. The teams traded goals throughout a fast-paced opening period, with Peterborough holding a narrow 5–4 lead despite Oakville’s 21–13 advantage in shots. The Lakers created some separation in the second, taking a 9–7 lead into the final period before pulling away with five goals in the third.

Ryan Lanchbury powered the Lakers’ offence with two goals and nine assists, while Rob Hellyer scored four times and added three helpers. Alex Simmons led Oakville with four goals and one assist, but Peterborough’s late surge—including two empty-net goals—sealed the victory. The Lakers now advance to the Major Series Lacrosse Finals, where they will face the Six Nations Chiefs.

To The Game:

The Rock opened the scoring with Alex Simmons converting a Sam LeClair pass from in close at 2:00, but Ryan Lanchbury answered on the power-play with a laser off a Rob Hellyer pass at 4:51.

Oakville regained the lead with Justin Lee blasting an outside shot off an Alex Simmons feed at 5:39, but Ryan Lanchbury's second of the game, diving across the crease, tied the game off a Thomas Hoggarth pass at 10:25.

Rob Hellyer gave the Lakers their first lead with a low-to-low laser from the outside off a Ryan Lanchbury pass at 11:08, but Brooks English went coast to coast in transition off a loose ball at 12:15.

Thomas Hoggarth regained the Peterborough lead all alone in front off a Ryan Lanchbury pass just 19 seconds later, but a great individual effort from Alex Simmons, diving across the crease, tied the game again at 14:07.

Rob Hellyer once again gave the Lakers the lead with a blast off a Lanchbury feed at 15:17 in this see-saw affair. 

After one period: Peterborough 5, Oakville 4.
Shots on goal favored the Rock 21-13.

Second Period:

Brad McCulley increased the Peterborough lead to open the second period, scoring with a shrewd move around a Rock defenseman off a Ryan Lanchbury pass at 57 seconds, but Jake Darlison replied in transition, going coast to coast unassisted at 4:21.

Alex Simmons then tied the game, firing a Justin Tavares pass 32 seconds later, but on the power-play, Mike Robinson hit a quick stick off a Lanchbury pass at 10:54.

Alex Pace increased the Peterborough lead from the top of the crease in transition off a Rob Hellyer pass at 11:59, but a rocket from Carson Moyer at 16:15 brought Oakville within one.

Rob Hellyer's third of the game on a crease dive off a Ryan Lanchbury feed gave the Lakers a bit of breathing room at 19:06.

After two periods: Peterborough 9, Oakville 7.
Shots on goal favored the Rock 20-17.

Third Period:

Peterborough opened the third period scoring with Rob Hellyer beating Landon Kells to the corner off a Ryan Lanchbury feed at 2:12, followed by Colton Armitage with a quick stick from in front off a Ryan Lanchbury pass at 11:06.  Justin Sykes added an empty net marker off a Dustyn Birkhof pass at 13:39.

Alex Simmons scored from the side of the net off a Jameson Steele pass at 15:34, but Thomas Hoggarth replied from in close off a Lanchbury feed at 16:40.

The Lakers added another empty net tally from Jordan Stouros at 17:03.

Final score: Peterborough 14, Oakville 8.
Shots on goal favored the Lakers 20-15, for a game total of 56-50 in favor of the Rock.

The Three Stars:

1. Ryan Lanchbury  
2. Rob Hellyer 
3. Alex Simmons 

The Peterborough Lakers win the best-of-five series 3-1 to advance to the Major Series Lacrosse Finals against the Six Nations Chiefs. 

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