Peterborough Lakers Defeat Defending-Champion Six Nations Chiefs in Home Opener, 7-6

A rematch of the Major Series Lacrosse Championship did not disappoint as the Peterborough Lakers won their home opener against the defending-champion Six Nations Chiefs, 7-6, at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

While the first period was low-scoring, all goals were scored on special teams. Ryan Smith opened the game with a shorthanded goal for the Chiefs. Peterborough immediately responded three minutes later with a shorthanded goal thanks to Brad McCulley. Taite Cattoni got a power play goal for the Lakers just 73 seconds before the period’s end and it was 2-1 after the first stanza.

The Chiefs produced more offense in the second, with four goals, including two on the power play and a last-second goal from Tyson Bell. Koleton Marquis and Mike Robinson salvaged goals for the Lakers to keep it close at 5-4 for Six Nations after two.

It took 59 seconds for the Lakers to tie the game thanks to Holden Cattoni for a 5-5 game. Davin Bonberry got the go-ahead goal for the Chiefs but Robinson netted his second of the game just under four minutes later.

Peterborough had a power play in the latter stages of the period and Holden got his second third-period goal of the contest to take a 7-6 lead for the Lakers. Peterborough was able to hold against the defending champions and have the fans leave happy with a 7-6 win to move to a 2-0 record.

“Any wins early in the season against (any team is) big. They’re the benchmark, the back-to-back Mann Cup champs with a pretty incredible roster they have there,” said Nick Rose, Lakers goaltender. “We know we have to get better come August. To start off the season with two wins is a great week, but there’s a lot ahead for us.”

Rose was acquired in a trade from the Oakville Rock on March 17 and made his Lakers debut, stopping 38 saves, including blanking the Chiefs in the final 8:34 of regulation.

“We came with a purpose,” he said. “Most of the boys played last night so a little tired but I think some of the fresh legs, myself included, brought a little energy and tried to really dig in for the guys that went back-to-back.”

The Lakers get a week’s rest before hosting the 0-1 Brampton Excelsiors next Thursday at the PMC.

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Peterborough Lakers Hold Off Third-Period Surge For 13-10 Season Opener Win

The Peterborough Lakers held off a six-goal rally from the Brooklin L.C. to win their season opener 13-10 at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre on Wednesday night.

Photo courtesy Anna Taylor and the Peterborough Lakers.

Peterborough dominated the opening period with Carter Page starting the scoring. After letting up a power-play goal, the Lakers saw Holden Cattoni score two and Dylan Hutchinson get one for a 4-1 lead after the first.

Brooklin rung off two straight goals to open the second period to make it 4-3 but the Lakers went on a seven-goal run shortly after. Colton Armstrong, Brad McCulley, Koleton Marquis, Taite Cattoni, Thomas Hoggarth and Page’s second were part of that streak. Both teams traded goals at the end of the period for an 11-4 game.

Brooklin was not leaving the game quietly as they had a 5-1 run until the final 5:12 of the game. Austin Hasen had a late powerplay goal, his second of the period, to give the Lakers some insurance. Brooklin scored once more but it was too little, too late and Peterborough held on for the 13-10 win.

The Lakers have their home opener against the two-time defending Mann Cup-champion Six Nations Chiefs on Thursday at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Peterborough Lakers Trade For Veteran Defenceman and Sign Former First-Round Forward Ahead of Home Opener

The Peterborough Lakers have acquired veteran defender Warren Jeffrey from the Brampton Excelsiors and signed forward Brad McCulley for the 2025 season.

Warren Jeffrey. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

The Lakers also regained their 2026 fifth-round pick previously held by the Excelsiors. Brampton receives the Lakers’s second-round pick in 2026 and reobtains the rights to Jeffrey for 2026.

Jeffery played three seasons in the National Lacrosse League (NLL), all with the Colorado Mammoth. During that span, he scored four goals and nine assists for 13 points. He also played 14 playoff games, registering two goals and five assists for seven points.

McCulley hails from Victoria, B.C., where he previously played for the Victoria Shamrocks in the Western Lacrosse Association. He and the Shamrocks competed for the 2024 Mann Cup against the Six Nations.

McCulley spent the latter half of the 2025 NLL season on the practice roster of the Rochester Knighthawks under Lakers’ head coach Mike Hasen. He previously played for the Vancouver Warriors and Buffalo Bandits, winning the 2023 NLL Cup for the latter.

The former first-round draft pick has scored 20 goals and 36 assists for 56 points in 36 career NLL games.

The Lakers open their season on the road against the Brooklin L.C. on Wednesday before having their home opener against the two-time defending Mann Cup-champion Six Nations Chiefs on Thursday.

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Peterborough Lakers Re-Sign Three Local Players For Upcoming 2025 Season

The Peterborough Lakers have re-signed three local players in Mike Robinson, Drew Hutchison, and Colton Armstrong for the 2025 season, announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Lakers Transition Colton Armstrong scoring a crucial goal against the Six Nations Chiefs in Game Two of the MSL Championship. Peterborough had taken a 2-0 series lead after that game. Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

All three return home after helping the National Lacrosse League’s (NLL) Halifax Thunderbirds reach the semifinals.

Robinson finished third in rookie scoring this past season in the NLL and currently leads all rookies in postseason scoring with 12 points. After spending last summer under contract with the Premier Lacrosse League’s Boston Cannons, Robinson returns to his hometown team.

Hutchison had a breakout year in Halifax with five wins and three losses.

Armstrong, known for his strong transition play and highlight-reel goals, returns to the Lakers. He was acquired from the Cobourg Kodiaks in a trade in 2023..

The Lakers open their season on the road against the Brooklin L.C. on May 21 before having their home opener against the two-time defending Mann Cup-champion Six Nations Chiefs on May 22.

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Peterborough Lakers Partner to Raise Money For PRHC Foundation Throughout MSL Season

The Peterborough Lakers have partnered with the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation as the team will help raise funds for the latter throughout the Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) season, announced at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Monday afternoon.

(From left to right) Len Powers; Lakers board member; Lesley Heighway, PRHC president and CEO and Dylan Hutchinson, Lakers defenceman. The Lakers start their season on the road against the Brooklin L.C. on May 22 before having their home opener against the two-time defending Mann Cup-Champion Six Nations Chiefs on May 22. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The PRHC Foundation’s campaign goal is $60 million, the largest fundraising effort in the hospital’s history.

The campaign aims to empower world-class care close to home, attract top healthcare professionals and address urgent hospital needs according to Lesley Heighway, PRHC president and CEO.

“We're focused on a couple of key priorities. One is digital pathology. There's a laboratory on the sixth floor of the hospital where things like cancer diagnosis happen,” she explained. “Having the test results and digitized means that pathologists can share them with each other, they can share them with colleagues at other hospitals and they can do it seamlessly.”

The campaign has already raised $52.9 million. Len Powers, Lakers board member, says that the organization is committed to doing everything it can to help the PRHC after all they do for the region.

“The Lakers are all about community, and there’s nothing more ‘community’ than supporting our regional hospital,” he said. “PRHC is the heartbeat of the Peterborough region. It’s where our families turn in moments of greatest need.”

“We’re excited to team up with a championship organization like the Lakers,” said Heighway. “They represent dedication, heart, and excellence – just like our hospital. We know how strongly this region rallies around the Lakeshow and PRHC. Together, we can help reimagine healthcare.”

Throughout the MSL season, the PRHC Foundation will be at Lakers home games, sharing stories and inviting fans to get involved. To help raise founds for the Foundation, limited edition Lakers merchandise will be sold with further details released at a later date.

A special PRHC Family Night is set for June 26 against the Cobourg Kodiaks. PRHC staff and volunteers will receive a promo code for discounted tickets.

On Canada Day, the Lakers will wear Canadian-themed jerseys during the game and will auction them off after the match, with all proceeds benefiting PRHC Foundation.

“My message for people in the community is that gifts of all sizes make a difference,” concluded Heighway. “Never think that 'my gift of $25' or 'my gift of $100' isn't going to make a difference. All of that comes together and it's going to help us get to our goal.”

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Peterborough Lakers Extend Deadline For Season Ticket Renewals

The Peterborough Lakers have extended the season ticket renewal deadline to Wednesday at 5 p.m., announced on Friday.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

The team has made season tickets available to the general public, who can purchase a full season package without having previously held tickets.

Following the May 7 deadline, any additional unclaimed seats will be released to the public beginning Thursday at 10 a.m. Fans can upgrade or swap their seats that dya during the Lakers’ Season Seat Swap/Upgrade Day at the Grant Thornton Box Office at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Season ticket packages can be picked up starting on May 12. The Grant Thornton Box Office is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. They can also call 705-743-3561 to purchase or reserve their seats.

The Lakers have also announced that single-game tickets will be sold to the general public starting May 19.

The Lakers have their home opener against the Six Nations Chiefs on May 22. 

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Peterborough Lakers Acquire Payton Tasse From Brampton Excelsiors

The Peterborough Lakers are loading up their back end as they acquired defenceman Payton Tasse from the Brampton Excelsiors and a 2026 second-round draft pick in exchange for goaltender Andrew Kidd, forward Ty Scott and a 2026 fifth-round draft pick.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Nepean Knight is a left-handed shot and Ottawa native currently completing a graduate degree in Sports and Leadership at Newberry College. Tasse was Brampton’s fifth-round pick in the 2024 MSL Entry Draft.

His father, Jason, is a former member of the NLL’s Ottawa Rebel and recently coached with the Peterborough Timbermen of the Arena Lacrosse League.

The Lakers open their season on the road against the Brooklin L.C. on May 21 before having their home opener against the two-time defending Mann Cup-champion Six Nations Chiefs on May 22.

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Photos: Lacrosse Fans Treated To "Lunch With the Lakers" Meet & Greet Event at Smitty's Family Restaurant

Lacrosse fans got to enjoy a meal at the “Lunch With the Lakers” meet-and-greet event held at Smitty’s Family Restaurant on Tuesday morning.

Lakers Taite Cattoni, Colton Armstrong, Jake Withers and mascot Teddy giving a young fan Waylon Barton, 7, a jersey. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The public could eat with Lakers staff and players, get their pictures taken, and have autographs signed by Lakers Taite Cattoni, Colton Armstrong and Jake Withers.

The Lakers open their season on the road against the Brooklin L.C. on May 21 before having their home opener against the two-time defending Mann Cup-champion Six Nations Chiefs on May 22.

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Peterborough to Host Women’s Major Series Lacrosse Provincial Championships Aug. 15-17

Peterborough has been chosen to host the 2025 Women’s Major Series Lacrosse (WMSL) Provincial Championships held Aug. 15 to 17 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre and Kinsmen Civic Centre, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

All 10 Women’s Major Series Lacrosse League teams from across the province qualify for this event. The tournament will feature round-robin games and an elimination round. The gold medal game is set for Aug. 17.

“Peterborough has a deep-rooted lacrosse culture, from minor leagues to the 18-time Mann Cup champion Peterborough Lakers,” said Victoria Clark, WMSL assistant commissioner. “We are thrilled to bring this premier event to the community, and to further showcase the talent of women’s box lacrosse.”

“Women’s Major Series Lacrosse Provincial Championship is an exciting opportunity to showcase the incredible talent in women’s lacrosse, including our hometown Peterborough Lakers, and highlight Peterborough’s reputation as a premier lacrosse destination,” said Peterborough City Councilors Lesley Parnell and Alex Bierk in a joint statement. “Peterborough Tourism and the Peterborough WMSL Lakers collaborating on this event gives us a chance to showcase our top-tier facilities and vibrant summer activities, while also allowing us to celebrate women in sport.”

The WMSL rebranded from the Ontario Women’s Box Lacrosse League in 2022 and now includes teams from Kingston, Peterborough, Whitby, Mimico, Mississauga, Hamilton, Arthur, London, Grand River and Niagara.

The WMSL Lakers competed in their inaugural season last year, finishing fourth in the regular season. The team hosted a league day in July last year at the Healthy Planet Arena. According to a press release, several fans filled the venue, which sparked enough community support to spark the team’s interest in hosting Provincials during their second year in the league.

The team fell short in the Provincial Gold Medal Game, losing 2-0 in the semi-final to the reigning champion Whitby Rush. The WMSL Lakers feature two star players, Emily VanDamme and Nicole Perroni, who were named to the WMSL All-Star Team at the end of the 2024 season.

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Peterborough Jr. A Lakers Hire Homegrown Talent As New Assistant Coach

The Peterborough Jr. A Lakers have hired Dustin Dunn as the team’s new assistant coach, taking over the role of Turner Evans, announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers

Dunn joins returning staff such as head coach Robert Hope and assistants Jeff Ralph, Curtis Conley and Taylor Evans.

Turner stepped away from coaching to focus on his young family as his family recently welcomed their third child, alongside work and lacrosse commitments.

The Peterborough native is a product of the hometown’s minor lacrosse system, including a five-year career with the Jr. A Lakers with a Minto Cup victory in 2006 and a selection to the Jr A All-Star team in 2009. His collegiate career consisted of NCAA’s SUNY Potsdam Bears and in CUFLA with the Brock University Badgers.

His professional career saw him drafted by the National Lacrosse League’s Buffalo Bandits and played for the Toronto Rock. He also played in the Major Series Lacrosse with the Brooklin L.C. and Nanaimo Timbermen in the Western Lacrosse League.

Dunn returned to the Peterborough lacrosse scene in 2019, coaching the U13 Peterborough minor lacrosse team to a provincial bronze medal. Most recently, he led the U17 Clarington Green Gaels to an ‘A’ gold medal at the 2024 Ontario Summer Games, with a roster of half of its players from Peterborough due to lacking a local team in that age group. Lacrosse Canada named Dunn their technical/national development teams coordinator earlier this year.

“I’m incredibly excited to join the Lakers as an assistant coach,” said Dunn. “This organization and this city mean so much to me. I grew up in this system, won a Minto Cup here, and now I get to help guide the next generation of Jr A Lakers. It’s an honour to work alongside this coaching staff and contribute to the team’s success.”

“Dustin is a fantastic addition to our staff,” said Hope. “His experience as a player at the highest levels and his proven track record as a coach make him a perfect fit for this team. He understands what it takes to win in Peterborough and I’m confident he’ll bring a fresh perspective and energy to our group.”

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