Lakers Fall to Rock as MSL Semifinal Series Now Tied at a Game Apiece

By Scott Arnold

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers saw their five-game winning streak come to an end Thursday night, falling 11-5 to the Oakville Rock in Game 2 of their Major Series Lacrosse semifinal series at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers and Oakville Rock are tied at a game apiece after Oakville earned an 11-5 victory in Game 2 of their best-of-five Major Series Lacrosse semifinal series Thursday night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. The series shifts back to Oakville for Game 3 on Saturday (photo courtesy of the peterborough lakers, via david pickering)

Oakville goaltender and former Laker Landon Kells was the difference-maker, shutting out Peterborough in both the first and third periods while helping the Rock even the best-of-five series at one game apiece.

The Rock jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the opening period, with Justin Tavares, Josh Dawick and Sam LeClair all finding the net. Peterborough responded with a strong second period, scoring five times to erase the deficit and take a 5-4 lead.

Thomas Hoggarth opened the Lakers' scoring late in the second period, followed by goals from Ryan Lanchbury, Holden Cattoni, and two more from Hoggarth. Oakville, however, answered with two goals of its own before the period ended to take a 6-5 lead into the final frame.

The Rock pulled away in the third period, scoring five unanswered goals to secure the win. Alex Simmons finished with four goals, including a penalty shot marker late in the game, while Justin Tavares completed the night with a hat trick after the league corrected the third-period scoring.

Thomas Hoggarth recorded a hat trick to lead the Lakers, while Ryan Lanchbury and Holden Cattoni each had a goal and two assists. Rob Hellyer, Colton Armitage, Jake Withers, Mike Robinson, Daniel Clark and Justin Sykes each chipped in with an assist.

Drew Hutchison made 43 saves in the loss, while Kells stopped 44 shots to earn the victory.

The series now shifts back to Oakville for Game 3 on Saturday at 7pm at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre, before returning to the Peterborough Memorial Centre for Game 4 on Tuesday.

In the other MSL semifinal, the Six Nations Chiefs took a 2-0 series lead over the Cobourg Kodiaks with an 11-9 win Thursday night. Game 3 goes Saturday in Six Nations

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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