Lakers hold on for Game 2 victory
Story and Photo by Anna Taylor
The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers took a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven MSL semi-final series against the Brooklin Lacrosse Club after a 14-12 win on Friday night at Iroquois Park Sports Centre.
With a big crowd in attendance (half Lakers fans, and many participants from the Ontario Lacrosse Festival), the Lakers jumped out to a 7-3 lead in the first period. As in Game 1, Brooklin refused to back down, outscoring Peterborough 4-2 in the second period. Brooklin got within a goal at 9-8 early in the third, but Peterborough rattled off three in a row to keep the score in their favour.
Eli McLaughlin followed a pair of goals by Thomas Hoggarth to increase the score to 12-9. Kyle Waters popped one in for Brooklin before Austin Hasen scored a pair back-to-back. Brooklin ended the game with three goals in the last 2:50 but the Lakers held on for the win.
The Lakers scored four transition goals including two shorthanded. Colton Armstrong scored twice and Matt Gilray and Chad Tutton one each. Tutton's came as he sprang from the penalty box to receive Robert Hope's full-floor pass to beat Hutchcraft.
"Transition was a focus coming into the game. In the regular season that was something in our game we thought we could improve on," said Gilray. "We're confident but we definitely have a lot to improve on. This game was sloppy, especially at the end there, we kinda let things get away. We have some things we want to clean up."
Austin Hasen led the Lakers with three goals and two assists, while Josh Currier scored once and added six assists. Drew Hutchison made 40 saves. Tanner Cook led Brooklin with a hat trick and three assists while Hutchcraft made 29 saves.
The Lakers made several roster substitutions from Game 1. Offensively, Cam Milligan and Mike Robinson came in for Joel Tayler and Turner Evans. On defence, Bryce Sweeting, Mitch Ogilvie and Jordan Stouros sat in favour of Jay Thorimbert, Thomas Whitty and Blake McDonald.
McDonald is expected to face a short suspension for an illegal cross-check taken in the second period; captain Robert Hope was checked from behind by Luke Pilcher and McDonald slammed Pilcher to the ground in retaliation.