The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers fell to the Six Nations Chiefs 11-6 on Thursday night during their 2026 Major Series Lacrosse home opener at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.
The defending Mann Cup champion Chiefs, who were already 1-0 on the season after a 12-0 win over Owen Sound on Monday, were sporting nearly their entire roster, while the Lakers were shorthanded, missing several regulars to prior commitments and injury.
“Unfortunately, it’s May 21st. Our roster is healing from the winter,” said Lakers head coach Mike Hasen. “They’re going to be here and it’s going to be a lot better.”
The Lakers don’t usually start until the end of May or the beginning of June. That said, Hasen didn’t mind the start.
“(We) competed against the best team in Canada. There were a lot of good pieces on the floor here tonight. Scoreboard wise, we kind of poo-pooed it a little bit, but when our group really gets here, we’ll start clicking and you’ll see what these guys are going to do for us.”
Regardless, the hometown team put up a good effort, particularly in the second period, where they matched the Chiefs three-goal output with three of their own, including a pair from returning veteran Rob Hellyer, who also sent a pinpoint pass to Justin Sykes for a quick-stick power play goal in the frame.
The Chiefs led 11-4 in the third after Chris Cloutier scored shorthanded, Andrew Kew picked up his second of the game, and Dhane Smith recorded his fifth point of the night. The Lakers finished the game with two goals, from Carter Page and Matt Gilray, who finished off a transition run, to cut the deficit.
Dylan Hutchison scored the Lakers’ first goal of the season on an outside shot in the first period, tying the game 1-1 at the time, but Six Nations led 5-1 after the opening frame.
Jay Joins the Lakers
Just prior to the game, the Lakers swung a trade with the Oakville Rock, bringing in veteran defender Adam Jay in exchange for a 2029 second round draft pick.
“It was a casual workday and then Mike Hasen let me know – we work together (at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre) – as soon as I was leaving work, go get your gear and come to the rink. I wanted to play on a competitive team, so I said, ‘Mike, let me come play if you’ve got a spot.’”
Jay is a stay-at-home defender but will go up the floor “the odd time,” he said. “Sound defence and fundamentals, not letting guys get around you, playing physical in the middle.”
From Victoria, BC, Jay has been in Ontario for eight years, after signing with the NLL’s Toronto Rock. He was traded to Saskatchewan in 2024. In the MSL, he played several seasons with Oakville and then spent the 2024 season playing for the Victoria Shamrocks who lost in the Mann Cup to Six Nations.
Jay made his Lakers debut alongside fellow defenders Liam Patten, acquired from Brampton, and 2024 draft pick Brenden Boyle, who spent the prior two seasons playing in Nanaimo.
(Article submitted by Anna Taylor, Social Media Coordinator for the Century 21 Lakers)
