Lakers win fourth consecutive Mann Cup with 13-9 victory


What lacrosse player would not want to be able to go into the third period of the seventh and deciding game of a Mann Cup series knowing this one period of play could/will lead to a Mann Cup victory?  That is precisely what happened in the 2022 Mann Cup.

In thrilling fashion, the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers defeated the Langley Thunder 13-9.  In doing so, the Lakers captured their fourth consecutive Mann Cup.  In addition, it is the 18th time, Peterborough has won the coveted championship.


A packed arena of 3904 fans witnessed a see-saw contest – Peterborough took a 7-5 lead to the dressing after the first period.  However, the Thunder won the second period 4-2, putting the teams in a 9-9 tie after two periods of action-packed play.

The Lakers - in particular goaltender Matt Vinc - were relentless as Peterborough won the third period 4-0 resulting in a 13-9 victory and claim to the Mann Cup.

Leading Peterborough on offence with hat tricks were Holden Cattoni, Cory Vitarelli and Mark Matthews. Joe Restarits and Thomas Hoggarth each added a pair of goals. Hoggarth’s appearance in the game was a surprise as he had missed game six of the series with a shoulder injury.  All time Mann Cup point leader Shawn Evans missed the seventh and final game due to an ankle injury sustained in game six.  Evans could be seen during the warm-up testing his ankle, but it was apparent, he could not play (Note: Shawn Evans required surgery to repair the injured ankle). On the positive side, Turner Evans (cousin to Shawn) did return to the line-up for Game 7, after not playing since Game 1 of the series – apparently healthy enough to play despite a severe rib injury.

Peterborough offence aside – it was a stifling defensive effort in the third period which ensured the Lakers would not be denied.  With stellar defensive efforts in front of him, goaltender Matt Vinc was unbeatable.

The Mike Kelley Award presented to the Most Valuable Player of the Mann Cup was presented to Curtis Dickson of the Langley Thunder.  Dickson had an outstanding series collecting 42 points including 18 goals over the series.

Before the series began, lacrosse insiders suggested this could be a classic Mann Cup series.  It was!  After a two-year absence of lacrosse, due to the Covid pandemic – the game, the fans, the players – needed this. 


Rad Joseph

MSL Media Team

radjoseph@hotmail.com