Photo courtesy of: David Pickering
The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers tied the MSL Finals 1-1 on Thursday night with a 9-8 win over the Six Nations Chiefs.
Dustyn Birkhof scored the game winning goal with 4:20 remaining, scooping up a missed Chiefs’ pass and blasting in a shot on transition, causing the fans at the Memorial Centre to erupt into their loudest cheer of the season.
“It makes the game so much different,” Birkhof said. “To hear the fans going gives us that extra energy that we need and we love it. It really gets us going.”
It was both a thrilling and somber moment for Birkhof. He pointed up as he celebrated, dedicating the goal to his late brother Steve, who passed away four years ago Thursday. Much of the Birkhof family, including Dustyn’s older brother and former Laker Broedie, were in attendance.
“I said a prayer the shift before that one,” Birkhof said. “He was definitely with me for that final shot. I owe it all to him. Today was a very special day and to get that goal means a lot, not just to me but to the team as well.”
Birkhof didn’t play in Game 1, but both his toughness and transition were welcomed in Game 2.
It was a busy first period. Six Nations led 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 before the Lakers scored two in a row for their first lead of the series. Rob Hellyer opened the scoring with a shot from his wrong side; Taite Cattoni, in his return from injury, scored two twisters in a row before Colton Armitage before popped in a quick stick á la Cory Vitarelli on the power play.
“The worst part is just watching,” Cattoni said of the nearly two months he missed. “It’s nerve-wracking and stressful so props to our fans for enduring that every time. It’s nice to be out there contributing and to get a big win here at home.”
Shayne Jackson tied it 4-4 with 1:42 left, and as tensions flared multiple players from both teams ended up in the box. Right after Lyle Thompson made it 5-4, he cross checked Robert Hope in the back at the same time Brendan Bomberry cross checked him in the front. That drew a crowd and three Chiefs and two Lakers were penalized. The Lakers took another penalty shortly after and Chris Cloutier scored four-on-four for a 6-4 Six Nations lead.
The Lakers came out hot in the second period and had tied the game by the 4:43 mark on a pair of goals from Braedon Saris, also returned to the lineup after missing nearly a month to injury. Jackson’s hat trick goal, a dunk from behind the net, gave the Chiefs back the lead. Lyle Thompson made it 8-6, but Hellyer got one back before the period was out.
Nick Rose, who made 39 saves, held Six Nations scoreless in the third period. Ryan Lanchbury scored the game-tying goal on a delayed penalty, rifling the ball up the middle.
“We got a little lost in the second, but we regrouped and found a way to win,” said Cattoni. “They are an up and down team. They like to play fast and they’re physical. For us, we just have to be composed and not get rattled in the moment, settle in and play our game.”
The Lakers’ attention now turns to Sunday’s Game 3 at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena.
Said Birkhof: “We’re going to feed off this win. This is a good character win for us. We know the feeling, we know what it takes, so we’re going to go do it.”
The Boro is hosting a free watch party for fans at Quaker Foods Square City. Game time is 7 p.m. Cheer on the team live on the big screen. Grab takeout from your favourite downtown spot, wear your blue and red, and bring the noise!
Tickets for an important Game 4 on Tuesday are on sale now via Ticketmaster or through the Doane Grant Thornton Box Office.
(Article submitted by: Anna Taylor, Social Media Coordinator with the Century 21 Lakers)
