Rock Weather Third Period Surge to Defeat Lakers

By Gary Groob 

The Peterborough Lakers (2-2) traveled west to face the Oakville Rock (2-0) in Major Series Lacrosse action Monday night at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Deacan Knott in net for the Lakers facing Evan Constantopolous in net for Oakville. 

The Oakville Rock jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, using timely scoring and strong goaltending from Evan Constantopolous to earn an 11-9 victory over the Peterborough Lakers. Oakville struck first with goals from Justin Lee, Sam La Roue, and Tye Steenhuis to build a 3-0 advantage before Justin Sykes got the Lakers on the board late in the opening frame. The Rock continued to control the pace in the second period as Steenhuis, Mike McCannell, and Sam LeClair extended the lead, helping Oakville carry a 6-3 advantage into the final twenty minutes.

Peterborough mounted a determined comeback in the third period behind the offensive firepower of Rob Hellyer, Taite Cattoni, and Liam Vollans. The Lakers twice pulled within a single goal, including after Liam Patten's transition tally midway through the frame, but Oakville responded each time. Steenhuis completed his hat trick and Jack MacAlpine added a key insurance marker before McCannell's second of the night helped seal the win. Despite being outshot 26-14 in the third period and finishing even at 55 shots apiece, the Rock capitalized on their opportunities and received several clutch saves when needed to secure the hard-fought 11-9 victory.

To The Game:

Oakville got on the board first with Justin Lee converting a Tye Steenhuis pass from the top of the crease at 7:52, followed by Sam La Roue with a low blast unassisted off a turnover at 10:09.  Steenhuis himself then added to the Rock lead with a shorthanded goal from a rebound off a Jake Darlison shot in transition at 12:59.

Peterborough finally got on the board with Justin Sykes scoring from in close on the power-play off a Holden Cattoni feed at 13:37.

After one period, Oakville 3 Peterborough 1.

Shots on goal favored Oakville 21-16

Second Period:

The Lakers opened the second period scoring with Liam Vollans wiring an outside shot off a Holden Cattoni pass at 4:07.

A great individual effort from Tye Steenhuis off a Chris Weier pass at 10:32, followed by a blast from Mike McCannell off a Jack MacAlpine feed at 11:06 had Oakville up by three.  Sam LeClair continued the Rock attack with a sidearm snipe off a Brooks English pass at 13:44.

Cam Milligan brought the Lakers a bit closer with a blast off a Rob Hellyer feed at 15:49.

After two periods, Oakville 6 Peterborough 3.

Shots on goal favored Oakville 16-14.

Third Period:

Peterborough opened the scoring with a sidearm snipe from Rob Hellyer to the top corner off a Holden Cattoni pass at 2:00, but a blast from Ty Argent off a Mike McCannell pass restored the three goal cushion at 4:45.

Taite Cattoni kept the Lakers in the game with a pair of power-play markers.   The first was from the top of the crease off a Rob Hellyer feed at 7:35, followed by a low laser off a Mike Robinson pass at 8:10.

The Rock's Justin Lee scored from in close off a Sam LeClair pass at 12:29, but Liam Patten replied just seconds later in transition converting a Nick Crowley pass to bring the game within one once again.

Oakville stormed back again with Tye  Steenhuis' third of the game, followed by Jack MacAlpine with a blast at 16:14 to give the Rock some breathing room late in the game.

With the goalie on the bench, Rob Hellyer scored a beautiful behind the back goal off a Taite Cattoni pass at 18:43, but Mike McCannell answered back for Oakville at 19:03.

A low to low blast from Liam Vollans with 2.6 seconds remaining brought Peterborough within two, but it wasn't enough as Oakville held on for the victory. 

Final score, Oakville 11 Peterborough 9.

Shots on goal favored Peterborough 26-14 for a game total of 55 shots a piece. 

The Three Stars:

1. Tye Steenhuis 

2. Rob Hellyer 

3.  Evan Constantopolous 

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