Davin Bomberry opened the scoring just 67 seconds in for the Chiefs to record the first goal of the season. Nearly six minutes later, Dylan Hutchinson tied the game for the Lakers. Six Nations went on a four-goal run after the Peterborough score while Chiefs goalie Doug Jamieson clamped things down for a 5-1 first-period score.
The visitors added to their run with a pair of Chris Cloutier goals and the Lakers found themselves in a 7-1 hole. Rob Hellyer scored for the Lakers to try and build momentum for the team but Six Nations responded nearly four minutes later. Peterborough took advantage of some disciplinary issues from the Chiefs and scored two-straight power play goals thanks to Justin Sykes and Hellyer to make it 8-4 going into the final frame.
The Chiefs opened another period with a run, this time with three goals, including a shorthanded and power play score. Carter Page and Matt Gilray scored later for the Lakers, but it was too little too late, and the defending champs left Peterborough with an 11-6 victory to start the season.
The win puts the Chiefs at a 2-0 record after they shut out Owen Sound 12-0 on Monday, with nearly their entire roster in place. The Lakers were shorthanded, missing several regulars due to prior commitments and injury.
“Unfortunately, it’s May 21st. Our roster is healing from the winter,” said Mike Hasen, Lakers head coach. “They’re going to be here and it’s going to be a lot better.”
The loss put the Lakers at a 0-1 record and they look to rebound against the Brampton Excelsiors, who come to town this Thursday night.
“(We) competed against the best team in Canada,” explained Hasen. “There were a lot of good pieces on the floor here tonight. Scoreboard-wise, we kind of poo-pooed it a little bit but when our group really gets here, we’ll start clicking and you’ll see what these guys are going to do for us.”
