Peterborough Lakers Defeat Cobourg Kodiaks at Pride Night Game

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers improved their record to 8-2 on Thursday with a 12-9 win over the Cobourg Kodiaks on Pride Night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. 

photo courtesy of the peterborough lakers.

The Lakers raised over $3,500 through a silent auction featuring specially-designed game-worn Pride jerseys, with proceeds being donated to Sport A Rainbow. 2,116 fans were in attendance at the Thursday night game.

The Sport A Rainbow pledge shows commitment to speaking up against hateful speech and actions in sports. 

“Anytime you can make people feel welcome and make sure everyone is comfortable in their own skin, that’s important,” said captain Robert Hope. “As an educator, it starts with being a good person. Show people respect.” 

Founder and operator of Sport A Rainbow Rose Powers says all the Lakers team members and staff proudly took the Sport A Rainbow Pledge.

“Working with kids for over 30 years, that’s all I want, for youth have a voice,” said Powers. “I know how important it is for kids in our community to see the top lacrosse organization in the City wanting everyone to know they’re welcome here. Representation matters.”

Rose Powers, Middle Back Row and Ella, front. photo courtesy of the peterborough lakers.

Powers says the goal through Sport A Rainbow is to promote inclusion for all– inside and outside of the game.

“A lot of fans have came up to me tonight to make sure that I know that they see me, they see what the pledge is, they see what I’m trying to do and they are in support of it,” continued Powers. “I couldn’t be more proud.”

8 year old Ella, Sport A Rainbow’s youth ambassador, says she took the pledge after Powers came to talk to her hockey team.

“When people take the pledge, you’re making the promise to include people and stand up for what is right to make the world a better place,” she said.

Photos courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

“Lakers lacrosse is for everyone. It’s all inclusive,” stated Cam Milligan, who played his first game back in a Lakers’ uniform after being re-acquired from the Kodiaks.  

The Lakers scored four-straight goals to open the game before Cobourg got on the board. Milligan pushed his way to the front of the net to put Peterborough up 5-1 after the first.  

Peterborough continued to dominate in the second period, outscoring Cobourg 5-2 to lead 10-3 after 40 minutes. Jr. A call-up Nick Roode scored his first MSL goal, and Holden Cattoni completed a hat trick. 

The Lakers looked to be in control of the game, leading 11-4 in the third after Cattoni’s fourth of the game, but Cobourg found a spark and scored five goals in the last six minutes of play, including a pair of shorthanded markers, to cut the deficit.  

“They finished hard. Fortunately, we had a lead because we worked hard early,” said Milligan. “We still got the W so I’ll take it.” 

Nick Roode scored on a last-second penalty shot to seal the deal for the Lakers, who remain in second place behind the Six Nations Chiefs. 

Scoring for the Lakers: 

Holden Cattoni (4-3) 

Nick Roode (2-0) 

Turner Evans (1-4) 

Cam Milligan (1-4) 

Taite Cattoni (1-4) 

Mike Robinson (1-2) 

Austin Hasen (1-1) 

Josh Currier (1-0) 

Jake Withers (0-1) 

Matt Gilray (0-1) 

The Lakers are on the road Tuesday to visit the Chiefs in a game that will have first-place ramifications, and then return home next Thursday, July 13 to host the Brooklin Lacrosse Club.

Tickets are available at the Peterborough Memorial Centre box office. 

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Trailblazing Peterborough Lakers Organization Sport A Rainbow On Their Helmets During Mann Cup

Laker helmet (picture via Sport a Rainbow Facebook page)

Peterborough-based Sport A Rainbow, a movement where athletes, coaches, support staff and competitors take a pledge to stand up against hurtful speech and actions in their sport, has a huge supporter in the Peterborough Lakers.

Indeed, the Lakers have taken the Sport A Rainbow Pledge and will be sporting the Inclusion For All Logo on their helmets during the 2018 Mann Cup in Peterborough.

"I approached the Captain of the Lakers Robert Hope and he was very open to supporting Sport A Rainbow and Inclusion in Sport," Sport A Rainbow founder Rose Powers tells PTBOCanada. "From there, I spoke with Paul Day (Lakers GM) and Bill Joiner (Lakers Chairman). Both men were very open to the Lakers leading the way on Inclusion in Sport."

Lakers captain Robert Hope (picture via Sport A Rainbow Facebook page)

Powers considers the Lakers organization trailblazers for wearing these on their helmet, and showing their commitment to speaking out against hateful and derogatory speech in all sports. Indeed, the Lakers are taking a major stand on being inclusive by supporting Sport A Rainbow.

Powers hopes Sport A Rainbow Pledge cards will catch on with many sports teams far and wide. They are ready to be distributed to individuals or teams, and their logo sticker is CSA approved for helmets.

picture via Sport A Rainbow Facebook page)

After taking the pledge, the Inclusion in Sport Sticker logo can be placed on a helmet, stick or uniform. A percentage of all sales from Sport A Rainbow merchandise goes towards helping youth register in a sport they may not have been able to otherwise.

Visit sportarainbow.ca to order your Sport A Rainbow Pledge cards and stickers or email here for more information.

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