Lakers strike first in Game 1

The Peterborough Lakers got off to a quick start and Cory Vitarelli netted the hat trick, giving themselves first blood over the Brooklin Lacrosse Club.
The Lakers took a 12-8 win at the Peterborough Memorial Centre Monday to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-series Major Series Lacrosse semifinal.
Holden Cattoni scored twice, while Thomas Hoggarth, Vitarell, Alex Pace and Joe Restarts added one goal each to give the Lakers a first period lead they rode all the way to the end. Luke Pilcher netted the lone BLC goal.
BLC bounced back thanks to a pair from Brady Kearnan, while Mike Byrne and Dyson Williams added one each. Vitarelli, Mark Matthews and Hoggarth scored for the Lakers in the second frame.
In the third period, both teams scored three goals each. Austin Hasen, Vitarelli and Matthews for the Lakers, while Williams, Curtis Knight and Kearnan responded for BLC.

NOTES: Both goalies were fantastic at times. Doug Buchan made 42 saves, while Riley Hutchcraft had 43 stops for BLC. Kiel Matisz and Taite Cattoni playhed the role af facilitators in Game 1, with each recording five assists. Game 2 of the series is Tuesday in Whitby at 8pm. You will be able to watch online thanks to RogersTV Durham  or watch on cable on RogersTV Durham or YourTV Peterborough.