Photo courtesy of Peterborough Lakers
The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers couldn’t find their rhythm on Monday night, dropping a 7-4 decision to the Brooklin Lacrosse Club in Game 3 of their Major Series Lacrosse semifinal.
Despite the loss, the Lakers still lead the best-of-seven series 2-1, with Game 4 set for Wednesday in Whitby and Game 5 back at home on Thursday.
“We just weren’t sharp,” admitted head coach Mike Hasen. “Right from the get-go, we didn’t have the energy we had the last two games. We were a little bit planted, passes were off, we were dropping passes. It was just one of those nights where it was not good. Second period we had a lot of energy, but we just couldn’t find that consistency.”
Brooklin made a notable change in goal, starting backup Steve Orleman over regular Zach Higgins. Orleman delivered a strong performance with 48 saves on 52 shots.
“We were a little sluggish to get going,” said captain Robert Hope. “They worked really hard as a team, their goaltender played well, they made some small adjustments. We had some lulls. The first period wasn’t great for us. We picked it up in the second, and the third you’re playing catch up against a good team, so we struggled there a bit.”
Brooklin jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first on goals from Eddie Renaud and Ryan Barnable. Sean Westley, who finished with a hat trick, added a third goal just 44 seconds into the second.
Peterborough answered with four straight. Thomas Hoggarth started the run with a low crease dive at 3:55, followed 27 seconds later by a Holden Cattoni snipe. Braedon Saris converted on the power play, and Hoggarth added another 30 seconds later, fighting through two defenders to the net.
Westley tied the game 4-4 with 2:21 left in the period, and Brooklin captain Connor Kearnan gave his team the lead 30 seconds later.
Westley and Will MacLeod added insurance in the third, while Orleman shut the door the rest of the way.
“They were a lot faster coming out on the back end, pushing pace really well, and offensively I think they were a little more deliberate in their two-man game,” said Hasen. “It’s a series and we have to make a couple of adjustments going forward.”
Game 3 scratches for the Lakers included Broedie Birkhof, Jordan Stouros, Eric Shewell, Dustyn Birkhof, and Taite Cattoni, who served a one-game suspension following a late-game incident on Saturday. Adam Thistlethwaite and Ben Trumble returned to the defensive lineup.
Nick Rose made 27 saves in the loss.
Game 4 will be streamed on YouTube. Fans can find the link on the Lakers’ social media. Tickets for Game 5 on Thursday are available now at the Memorial Centre box office.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)
