LAKERS EDGE SHAMROCKS 9-8 TO LEAD SERIES 2-1

In what was expected to be another game of fast paced highly skilled Mann Cup lacrosse action, the Peterborough Lakers and Victoria Shamrocks did not disappoint. It was end to end action, slick passing, hard hitting, close checking and great goaltending throughout the game.  When it was over Peterborough edged Victoria 9-8 to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

The Lakers built up a quick 2-0 lead on goals by Thomas Hoggarth at 2:52 and Kyle Buchanan at 6:52.  The Shamrocks closed the gap to 2-1 on a power play goal at 9:48 by Chris Wardle.  Less than two minutes later, Turner Evans hit the mesh at 11:14 to restore the Lakers two goal lead.  Kyle Buchanan finished a nifty passing play into an empty net at 17:12 to give the Lakers a 4-1 lead as the period ended.  The Lakers outshot Victoria 21-10.

The Shamrocks repaid the Lakers as they outscored Peterborough 4-1 in the second period.  Chris Wardle netted his second of the game at 2:44.  Peterborough found themselves in penalty problems which led to a Tyler Pace marker at 14:12 making it 4-3.  The Shamrocks tied the game on another power play when Tyson Gibson scored at 14:58.  Less than a minute later at 15:40 Chris Boushy put Victoria ahead 5-4.  However, Cory Vitarelli tied the game at 16:46 to end the second period with a 5-5 tie. Despite being shorthanded with penalties, the Lakers outshot Victoria 19-13 for a two-period total of 40-23 for Peterborough.

The third period started with a Victoria penalty, leading to a power play goal from Lakers Mark Matthews as he unloaded a shot right down the middle which eluded goaltender Pete Dubenski in the Victoria net at the 39 second mark of the period. Twenty-three seconds later, Holden Cattoni blasted a shot by Dubenski to make it 7-5 Lakers. Victoria came back within one goal when Casey Jackson scored at 9:45 tightening the score to 7-6.  But, on a power play, Cory Vitarelli scored his second of the game to restore the Peterborough lead to 8-6 at 10:40.

Down by two goals, the Shamrocks pulled their goalie and were able to get the game tighter when Chris Boushy beat Mike Poulin with a low flying rocket at 18:47 closing the gap to 8-7.  But once again, the Lakers responded and Kyle Buchanan scored at 19:12 to regain the two-goal lead. However, the Shamrocks were not done as Tyler Pace brought Victoria back within a goal as he scored with 28 seconds left in the contest.  Despite having possession of the ball for the final seconds of the game, Victoria could not tie the game.  Final 9-8 score for the Lakers who now lead the series 2-1.

Both goaltenders were absolutely outstanding.  Peterborough outshot Victoria 56-42.  Mike Poulin recorded his second straight victory in nets for the Lakers.  Pete Dubenski - his second straight loss for the Shamrocks.

The game had plenty of slashing and constant interference.  A number of times, there was stoppage of play as a player from one team or the other needed assistance to recover from a vicious slash or questionable hit. At times, it is a free for all on loose balls.  No doubt, there will be some sore limbs for a number of players.  Bring out the ice packs.

The Lakers were 3 for 7 on the power play.  Victoria scored 2 power play goals on 5-man up situations.  Face-offs advantage was 15-6 for the Lakers

The fans are enjoying incredible pace, constant motion, pin-point passing, relentless effort on both defence and offence and goaltending clinics from both ball stoppers.  It has been a treat to watch and there are at least two more games to play.

Stars of the game:

Peterborough: Cory Vitarelli
Victoria: Graeme Hossack

Top scorers in Game 3:

Peterborough
Kyle Buchanan – 3 goals; 3 assists

Shawn Evans – 5 assists

Cory Vitarelli – 2 goals; 1 assist

Holden Cattoni – 1 goal; 1 assist

Turner Evans – 1 goal; 1 assist

Thomas Hoggarth – 1 goal;

Mark Matthews – 1 goal

Victoria
Chris Wardle - 2 goals;

Tyler Pace – 2 goals; 1 assist

Chris Boushy – 1 goal; 3 assists

Tyler Gibson – 1 goal; 1 assist

Casey Jackson – 1 goal; 1 assist

Game 4 of the series is Tuesday, September 10th beginning at 7:00 p.m. (10:00 p.m. Eastern)

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