Lanchbury Plays Hero as Lakers Stun Chiefs 7-6 in Overtime

By Gary Groob 

The Peterborough Lakers (10-7) traveled west to face the Six Nations Chiefs (16-2) in Major Series Lacrosse action Tuesday night at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Haggersville, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Drew Hutchison in net for the Lakers facing Doug Jamieson in net for the Chiefs. 

The Peterborough Lakers erased any doubt that they're a legitimate championship contender Tuesday night, earning a dramatic 7-6 overtime victory over the Six Nations Chiefs at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. The Lakers built a 5-3 lead through 40 minutes behind two goals from Ryan Lanchbury and a stellar performance from goaltender Drew Hutchison. Six Nations rallied in the third period with goals from Ryan Smith, Dawson Theede, and Dhane Smith to erase the deficit and force overtime after trailing for much of the game.

In the extra frame, Ryan Lanchbury capped off his outstanding night by blasting home the game-winning goal at 3:17 off a Thomas Hoggarth pass, giving Peterborough its 10th win of the season and locking them into third place in the standings. Hutchison earned first-star honours after turning aside wave after wave of Six Nations pressure, while Lyle Thompson led the Chiefs offensively with a pair of goals in the losing effort. The victory provides the Lakers with a huge boost of confidence heading into the playoffs next week.

To The Game:

After eight minutes of end to end action Peterborough finally got on the board with Justin Sykes firing a laser from the outside off a Brad McCulley pass at 8:01, followed by Colton Armstrong picking off a pass going coast to coast shorthanded at 16:24.

After one period, Peterborough 2 Six Nations 0.

Second Period:

Peterborough added to their lead to start the period with a laser from the outside from Ryan Lanchbury off a Drew Hutchison long lead pass at 3:10.

Lyle Thompson finally got the Chiefs on the board with a great move from in close off an Ian MacKay pass at 3:44, but Mike Robinson answered with a high to high blast on the power-play off a Thomas Hoggarth pass at 6:19.

Lyle Thompson scored his second of the night finishing a Shayne Jackson pass at 6:44, followed by Josh Byrne scoring from in close off a Ryan Smith feed at 11:13.

The Lakers came back with Ryan Lanchbury scoring from in close off a Daniel Clark pass at 12:02.  

After two periods, Peterborough 5 Six Nations 3.

Third Period:

The Chiefs got rolling early with Ryan Smith firing over the shoulder of Drew Hutchison off a Dhane Smith pass at 32 seconds, but Mike Robinson answered with a shot from the top of the crease off a Thomas Hoggarth pass at 3:17.

Dawson Theede brought Six Nations within one with a blast from the side of the net off an Andrew Kew pass at 8:10, followed by Dhane Smith crashing the crease off a Josh Byrne pass at 13:54 to tie the game.

After regulation, Peterborough 6 Six Nations 6.

Overtime:

After just over three heart-stopping minutes, Ryan Lanchbury blasted a shot from the side of the net off a Thomas Hoggarth pass at 3:17.

Final score, Peterborough 7 Six Nations 6.

The Three Stars:

1. Drew Hutchison 
2. Ryan Lanchbury 
3. Lyle Thompson 

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