Photo courtesy of: Samuel Gassira
The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers want seven games.
The Lakers fell to the Six Nations Chiefs 11-5 in Game 5 of the MSL Finals on Thursday night at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena, meaning they now trail the Chiefs 3-2 in the best-of-seven.
Game 6, on Sunday night at the Memorial Centre, is a must-win, or the season is over. If they win, Game 7 is Tuesday night back at the ILA.
Over the next two days, the Lakers will “rest, recover and refocus and get ready to lay it all on the line for each other,” according to head coach Mike Hasen.
The biggest games are always saved for last.
“It’s going to be the most exciting game all year,” said defender Jordan Stouros. “We’re looking forward to it; we’re as dialed in as we can be.”
Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster, or through the box office by phone at 705-743-3561 or in person at the PMC.
The Lakers were held scoreless through the first period and trailed 4-0. The Chiefs upped their lead to 7-0 on a hat trick from Lyle Thompson that included a penalty shot goal, before Ryan Lanchbury got Peterborough on the board.
“We just couldn’t get going,” said Hasen. “Just kind of stuck in first gear a bit and they slowly pecked away at us. It’s not like we let it get out of hand or out of control, we still had our opportunities, we just weren’t our best to start, to say the least.”
The Chiefs were awarded the penalty shot after a crease melee saw Liam Patten take a five and a two after a Chief fell into Drew Hutchison, with Colton Armitage already in the box. Adam Jay and Dhane Smith also received offsetting minors, and Jake Withers a 10-minute misconduct.
Lanchbury kicked off a three-goal run with shorthanded and power play markers. Brad McCulley added a behind-the-back highlight reel marker. Dhane Smith and Rob Hellyer traded goals to end the period with the Lakers trailing 8-4.
Hellyer’s second of the game was a sharp bounce shot four minutes into the third period. But, the Chiefs scored the next three: Chris Cloutier on a crease dive, Ian MacKay on a fast break and Andrew Kew scored on a sidearm shot.
Hutchison got the call in goal. It was his first action after he was pulled in Game 1 at the ILA. Nick Rose had played in his place.
“That was a little bit of overthinking a bit,” Hasen explained. “We expected a long series. Hutchy’s been really good for us and we just wanted them to have different look at him to start… He settled in and gave us an opportunity.”
The Lakers will be ready to lay everything on the line Sunday to continue his season. Get your tickets now for the game of the season. It’s a 7 p.m. start on Sunday at the PMC.
(Article submitted by: Anna Taylor, Social Media Coordinator with the Century 21 Lakers)
