Photos courtesy of: Anna Taylor
Tuesday night, the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers (10-7-0) became the only team to beat the Six Nations Chiefs (16-2-0) on the floor during the 2026 MSL regular season with a 7-6 overtime win at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena.
Ryan Lanchbury fired in the OT winner, his second goal of the game, 3:17 into the extra frame. The Lakers led most of the game, never letting the Chiefs get ahead although they did manage a tie in the third period. It was the Lakers’ third win in a row.
“It was a full 60, back and forth but I think we came in with a little extra jump tonight. It’s nice playing from ahead,” said Lanchbury. “Little bit of luck there – tried to look away and maybe catch him off guard and it worked.”
Late last week, the previously undefeated Chiefs were handed a loss by the Ontario Lacrosse Association after they deemed Tyson Bell ineligible to play during the Chiefs’ visit to Oakville on July 20, a 10-4 win. Though Bell left the game in the first period after being informed of the suspension, stemming from their July 15 game, the Chiefs were stripped of the W. It remains, though, that the Lakers are the only team to actually beat the Chiefs.
“It took the whole team,” said goaltender Drew Hutchison, who turned in another stellar performance. “The offence played great, they capitalized when they could and had a lot of good chances that their goalie was stopping. Gotta give them credit, they’re a good team and I’m hopeful we see them in the playoffs.”
By virtue of the win, the Lakers reach 20 points on the season and clinch third place in the regular season standings. Cobourg and Brooklin could also finish with 20 points, but the Lakers hold the tiebreaker over both teams. Peterborough will play Oakville in the best-of-five first round playoff series; game dates are TBD.
Justin Sykes got the Lakers on the board with an outside rip 8:01 into the game. Colton Armstrong made it 2-0 after picking off a pass and scoring on the fast break while the Lakers were shorthanded. According to play-by-play man Mark Pare, it was the first time all season the Chiefs had been held scoreless in a period on their home floor.
It was a playoff atmosphere with the Lakers executing the game plan flawlessly, with Hutchison leading the way.
“He was unbelievable. I don’t know how many saves he made but it was a lot, and a lot of really good quality chances, not just quantity. He was incredible tonight, probably the best player on the floor,” praised Lanchbury.
Lanchbury put Peterborough up 3-0 in the second with another outside rip to open the second. Lyle Thompson replied for the Chiefs, finding an impossible angle nearly even with goal line extended. Thomas Hoggarth then made a great pass to a cutting Mike Robinson on the power play, which Thompson equaled again before Josh Byrne got the Chiefs back within a goal. Justin Sykes capped the period by redirecting Lanchbury’s pass past Doug Jamieson for a 5-3 lead.
There is one more home game before the playoffs begin; Owen Sound returns to the PMC on Thursday as the Lakers welcome fans to Fan Appreciation Night, with plenty of giveaways and a post-game autograph session.
“Best fans in the league. Love playing in front of them. There is no better place to play, so we’re all really excited,” stated Lanchbury.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster online or at the box office.
(Article submitted by: Anna Taylor, Social Media Coordinator with the Century 21 Lakers)
