Photo Courtesy of David Pickering
The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers made a statement in their 2025 Major Series Lacrosse home opener with a 7-6 win over the defending Mann Cup champion Six Nations Chiefs. It was the Chiefs first regular season loss since June 22, 2023 (also a loss to Peterborough, 9-8 at the Memorial Centre).
The Chiefs beat the Lakers in last year’s MSL Finals before going on to defeat the Victoria Shamrocks to win their second consecutive Mann Cup.
The Lakers were coming off a game Wednesday night in Whitby, 13-10 over the Brooklin Lacrosse Club. The Chiefs beat the Brampton Excelsiors on Monday night 8-4.
“Any wins early in the season against [any team is] big. They’re the benchmark, the back-to-back Mann Cup champs with a pretty incredible roster they have there,” said new Lakers goaltender Nick Rose. “We know we have to get better come August. To start off the season with two wins is a great week, but there’s a lot ahead for us.”
The Lakers and Chiefs traded shorthanded goals to open the scoring. Taite Cattoni put the Lakers up 2-1 before the first period ended, redirecting Thomas Hoggarth’s pass into the net.
Dawson Theede and Koleton Marquis traded goals to open the second before the Chiefs scored two in a row to take a 4-3 lead. Mike Robinson’s first of the season tied it 4-4. Tyson Bell got a buzzer beater into an empty net to give Six Nations a 5-4 lead after the second.
Holden Cattoni scored 59 seconds into the third period for a 5-5 tie. Six Nations took one more lead when Davin Bomberry scored his first MSL goal, but Robinson’s second goal tied it 6-6 as he scored an underhand rocket from the restraining line. Holden Cattoni picked up the game winner on a power play, bullying his way through a crowd in front of the net. Nick Rose, who made 38 saves in his Lakers’ debut, shut the door for the final 8:34.
“We came with a purpose,” said Rose. “Most of the boys played last night, so a little tired but I think some of the fresh legs, myself included, brought a little energy and tried to really dig in for the guys that went back-to-back.”
The Chiefs had six different goal scorers. Randy Staats contributed three assists. Doug Jamieson made 38 saves in the loss.
The Lakers have the week off; they return to the Memorial Centre next Thursday, May 29, at 8 p.m. to host the Brampton Excelsiors. Tickets are now on sale at the Grant Thornton Box Office.
