Photo Credit: Cade Dunford
The Peterborough Merit Precision Jr. A Lakers have announced their home schedule for the 2026 Ontario Junior Lacrosse League season, with all nine home games set for 8pm at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.
The Lakers will open their home schedule Friday, May 22 against the league’s newest franchise, the Elora Hawks, who were granted ‘A’ status this year after competing in the Jr. B ranks since 1987.
For head coach Robert Hope, the home opener provides an opportunity to set the tone for the season in front of the hometown crowd.
“Opening night always brings a different intensity. It’s the first opportunity to see how everything comes together; the preparation, the pace of the league, the matchups. There’s a real energy around a new season, and we’re looking forward to getting started.”
Peterborough enters the 2026 season following a strong run last year. The Lakers finished fifth in the standings with a 12-8 record before sweeping the Six Nations Arrows in the first round of the playoffs. Their season came to an end in the semifinals in six games against the eventual league champion Orangeville Northmen.
Hope feels last season’s playoff run gave the group valuable experience that can carry into the year ahead.
“We learned a lot about our group during that playoff run. To get through the first round the way we did and then push Orangeville in the semifinals showed what this team is capable of. The goal now is to take that next step.”
Hope emphasized that preparation and staying consistent will be key for success as the team gears up for another competitive OJLL season.
“This league is tough every night and there’s not an easy opponent on the schedule. We need to be prepared to play a full 60 minutes each game and be ready for whatever comes at us throughout the season.”
The Lakers’ 2026 home schedule is as follows:
Friday, May 22 vs. Elora Hawks – 8pm
Friday, May 29 vs. Oakville Buzz – 8pm
Monday, June 1 vs. Kitchener-Waterloo LC – 8pm
Monday, June 15 vs. Mimico Mountaineers – 8pm
Thursday, June 18 vs. Brampton Excelsiors – 8pm
Monday, June 22 vs. Whitby Warriors – 8pm
Friday, June 26 vs. Orangeville Northmen – 8pm
Monday, June 29 vs. Six Nations Arrows – 8pm
Monday, July 6 vs. Toronto Beaches – 8pm
The Lakers will begin their season the night before their home opener, on May 21st, in Toronto.
