Peterborough Lakers Impress With Best Offensive Showing of the Season With 16-7 Win Over Cobourg Kodiaks

The Peterborough Lakers complete the regular-season sweep of the Cobourg Kodiaks, defeating them in their best offensive game 16-7, at the Cobourg Community Centre on Sunday night.

The Lakers have swept the Kodiaks this regular season in four matchups, outscoring them 50-33 in the series. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

The win was a rebound from Thursday’s 9-8 overtime loss to the Chiefs. Six Nations clinched first place after beating the Lakers.

“It’s definitely a good win and we have playoffs coming up,” said Blake McDonald, Lakers defender. “It feels good to get a big win after a tough loss the other night so we’re back on track and will hopefully continue to play like this going forward.”

Peterborough asserted their dominance early with four goals to open the period. Both teams traded two goals apiece after that run but the Lakers wind up with a 6-2 lead after the first period with six different goal scorers. McDonald scored his first goal of the season 5:03 into the game.

The second frame was practically a repeat of the first. Peterborough had another six-goal period to Cobourg’s three. Taite Cattoni rounded off a hat trick with less than 14 seconds in the frame, scoring two goals in the second. Peterborough led 12-5 going into the final stanza.

Peterborough held Cobourg in check again, allowing only a goal to being and end the period. They found the back of the net four straight times between Cobourg’s goals. Lakers’s Holden Cattoni is keeping pace to win this year’s scoring title, tacking on his 24th and 25th of the season in back-to-back scores of those four goals. The defending Mann Cup champions left Cobourg with a 16-7 victory and got a series four-game sweep of the Kodiaks in the regular season.

Drew Hutchinson snagged the win in net for the Lakers, stopping 38 shots, moving to a 4-2 record.

Peterborough will play Brooklin L.C. twice in a home-and-home back-to-back series to round out their regular season. The Lakers will hit the road Wednesday to begin the two-game stretch and finish out at home at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Family Hosts Memorial Golf Tournament To Honour Their Five-Year-Old Son Passing Away From Golf Cart Accident

UPDATED: 9 p.m. 23-07-23

A tragic golf cart incident that resulted in the life of five-year-old William Gardner has got his family to create a memorial golf tournament to honour him at Bellmere Winds Golf Resort.

(from left to right) Elizabeth, Aurora, William and Matt Gardner. The family had lived overseas for the past 15 years and often came back during the summer season. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gardner.

The William Rock Gardner Golf Memorial tournament in Keene is slated for July 29 and will run from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. with prizes and draws from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The incident occurred a year ago. The Gardner family and their two friends were at the lower half of Bellemere to play sports and at the splash pad. They were travelling in a golf cart going downhill as it started to accelerate with the brakes failing.

After the cart swayed out of control, it flipped and ejected all the passengers onto the roadside according to Elizabeth Gardner, William’s mother. He sustained massive head trauma and was airlifted to SickKids Hospital. The parents and their friends had sustained injuries (with the latter taking the year off to recover) from the incident and were treated at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC). His seven-year-old sister Aurora was unharmed during the accident but had feelings of guilt and shame as the only sibling to survive said Elizabeth.

“Our family at that time knew everything was changing and I laid on the roadside trying to keep him breathing,” she explained.

All photos courtesy of Elizabeth Gardner.

The family visited William at SickKids and made the difficult decision to let him go due to the severe brain damage he suffered.

“After saying goodbye to William, both my husband and I were admitted to Peterborough Hospital due to our injuries,” explained Elizabeth. “I ended up staying in Peterborough Hospital for over a month recovering and planning my son’s funeral.”

Despite the unfortunate series of events, the family bears no ill will towards anyone and is grateful for the care that they received.

“Sick Kids Hospital and Peterborough Regional Health Centre were extremely supportive during our darkest days,” explained Elizabeth. “These golf tournaments will be in support of both of those institutions.”

The police report determined that the mishap was an accident due to the golf cart’s malfunction according to Elizabeth. Bellemere Winds had offered their golf resort to host the memorial tournament.

“We are still devastated from everything but cannot thank the Bellmere owners enough for pushing for this golf tournament,” said Elizabeth. “We are thankful we can honour William, as memories and events like these keep him alive.”

William was three weeks short of celebrating his fifth birthday upon his passing. He was entering kindergarten that September.

“He was a little boy with a great sense of humour and loved to run around in his bare feet,” said Elizabeth. “William loved all kids and above all loved playing with anybody but especially his sister Aurora.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Caley's Crease Earns Sponsorship Naming Rights For Kinsmen Twin-Pad Arena

Retail sports store Caley’s Crease has earned the sponsorship naming rights for the Kinsmen Civic Centre west twin-pad arena at 1 Kinsmen Way on Sherbrooke Street, announced by The City of Peterborough on Friday.

In recent years, the City has invested in the infrastructure at the Kinsmen Civic Centre, which is expected to extend the life of the facility for another 20-plus years. Photo courtesy of Caley’s Crease.

“The City of Peterborough is pleased to welcome the new sponsor at the Kinsmen Civic Centre which is also leasing space for a sports store that offers services to Kinsmen Civic Centre users as well as customers from the broader community,” said Heather Stephens, City of Peterborough recreation programs and partnerships manager.

Caley’s Crease sells hockey and lacrosse equipment while specializing in hockey goalie equipment. The storefront can be accessed from both inside Kinsmen Civic Centre as well as from a separate exterior entrance.

“Caleys Crease is excited to grow and expand in the community by adding our second location at the Kinsmen Civic Centre,” said Colin Caley of Caley’s Crease. “In addition to naming rights to an ice pad, Caleys Crease offers the Kinsmen Civic Centre a new pro shop offering skate sharpening and equipment sales to users.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Lakers Lose Close Game With Six Nations in Overtime 9-8; Chiefs Clinch First Place

The Peterborough Lakers and Six Nations Chiefs played a close and chippy game but the visitors came out on top and clinch first place with a 9-8 overtime win at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Thursday night.

Johnny “Shooter” Davis performed the the ceremonial faceoff to commemorate and honour the 1973 Mann Cup CHampion Lakers with their 50th anniversary of their title win. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

The ceremonial faceoff featured members of the 1973 Mann Cup Champion Lakers that recognize the 50th anniversary of their title win.

The visitors quickly quieted the PMC as one of the league’s top scorers Lyle Thompson, drew first blood seven seconds in for a 1-0 lead. The league leader in goals Holden Cattoni was not to be outdone as he got Peterborough on the board just over five-and-a-half minutes later. Sam LeClair pulled Six Nations ahead on the powerplay and kept that 2-1 lead into the second period.

Six Nations kept putting on the pressure, beating Lakers goalie Landon Kells twice to extend their lead 4-1. Peterborough was able to capitalize on their special teams with a pair of power play goals. That was part of a four-goal run to end the period and get their first lead of the game, 5-4.

The third period was a seesaw battle between both teams as neither team was able to score consecutive goals. The edge went to Six Nations as Thompson scored two goals in the frame for a hat trick. The game was tied at eight and overtime was needed to settle things.

Thompson, just as he scored first in the first and third period comes up big again for Six Nations as he was able to throw a bouncing shot past Kells for the 9-8 win and a first-place clinch.

Things got physical with the teams after the goal as they were pushing and shoving each other for several minutes. The scuffle occurred after Six Nation’s Eric Fannell shoved Robert Hope aside with his forearm to celebrate the goal with his teammates and the latter confronted the Chief immediately after the contact.

Both teams eventually stopped and went through the handshake line.

The win puts Six Nations six points ahead of the Lakers while owning the tiebreaker to seal up first place for the regular season. The Lakers have three games left including back-to-back games against the third-place Brooklin L.C. who are trying to overtake Peterborough, trailing four points.

The Lakers play the Cobourg Kodiaks this Sunday on the road for their next game scheduled for 6 p.m.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

First-Ever Little Lakers Night Set for July 27 With During Lakers Final Home Game

The welcome mat is being rolled out by the Peterborough Lakers for their Little Lakers Lacrosse Night and Five Counties families for July 27.

Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC) is teaming up with the Peterborough Lakers for the first-ever Little Lakers Night on the team’s final regular season home game on July 27 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre against the Brooklin L.C.

“Five Counties has played a big role throughout the years in our family,” says Len Powers, a FCCC ambassador and Lakers’ board member. “We are really grateful for the work the Centre does to support kids and their families in our community and were excited to find a fun way to give back.”

Little Lakers Night features the following:

• Pre-game festivities starting at 7 p.m. – an hour before game time. Five Counties is holding a silent auction that lets people bid on items that include: a golf package for four at Wildfire Golf Club, a baby gift basket and tickets to Canada’s Wonderland.

• Facepainting for kids by donation, sale of freezies and the chance to buy commemorative Little Lakers Night T-shirts in support of Five Counties.

• A ceremonial ball drop before the game, featuring Five Counties family and representatives.

The proceeds support the Building Abilities for Life campaign, allowing more kids to get the essential treatment like occupational and speech therapies they need to be their best according to a press release.

“Community events like Little Lakers Night are integral to helping us get more kids into treatment, reducing wait times and allowing more families to get the care when they need it,” says Scott Pepin, FCCC CEO. “We could not do what we do without the support of organizations like the Peterborough Lakers.”

Game tickets to Little Lakers Night are available through the Memorial Centre box office.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Curve Lake First Nation Sends 10 Athletes to North American Indigenous Games In Halifax

Curve Lake is sending ten young athletes to represent Team Ontario in the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Halifax, N.S. in five days of competition beginning Monday.

Photo courtesy of NAIG 2023.

Representing Curve Lake for Team Ontario are Louis Jacobs, Carter Jacobs, Rivor Taylor, Tristin Williams and Josh Knott who are all teammates for U19 Male Softball. Abagail Jacobs and Danika Jacobs are entered for U19 Female Soccer. McKenzie Taylor is the lone athlete for U16 Female Softball while Quinn Jacons and Grady Taylor are in U16 Male Softball.

The event started on Saturday and runs until July 24 with opening ceremonies that began on Sunday. There are 756 Indigenous Nations with over 5,000 athletes competing in 15 different events in this year’s games according to the official NAIG website.

The following is the schedule for Team Ontario with Curve Lake athletes:

U19 Male Softball

• Monday, vs. Manitoba at 10:15 a.m.

• Tuesday, vs. Nova Scotia at 8 a.m.

• Tuesday, vs. Alberta at noon

• Wednesday vs. Eastern Door and the North at 8:15 a.m.

• Thursday vs. British Columbia at 1 p.m.

• Thursday vs. Saskatchewan at 5 p.m.

U19 Female Soccer

• Monday, vs. Nova Scotia at 8 a.m.

• Tuesday, vs. Wisconsin at 8 a.m.

• Wednesday vs. Saskatchewan at 8 a.m.

U16 Male Softball

• Monday, vs. Saskatchewan at 4:15 p.m.

• Tuesday, vs. Nova Scotia at 10:15 a.m.

• Wednesday vs. Manitoba at 10:15 a.m.

• Wednesday vs. British Columbia at 5 p.m.

U16 Female Softball

• Monday, vs. Alberta at 7:30 a.m.

• Monday, vs Nova Scotia at 3:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, vs. Manitoba at 11:30 a.m.

• Wednesday, vs. British Columbia at 9:30 a.m.

• Thursday, vs. Saskatchewan at 8:15 a.m.

• Thursday, vs. Wisconsin at 12:30 p.m.

All games can be streamed via Youtube on NAIG’s official channel.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Lakers Break In New Turf With 15-10 Win Over Brooklin Lacrosse Club

The Peterborough Lakers snag their first victory with their brand new turf installed after handily defeating the Brooklin Lacrosse Club 15-10 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Peterborough remains in second place with a 9-3-0 record, while Brooklin remains in third place with a record of 6-5-0. The Lakers have four games remaining in the regular season. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

The first period was a low-scoring affair but saw the Lakers take a 3-1 lead with goals from Austin Hasen, Mike Robinson and Josh Currier for Peterborough. Tanner Cook scored the lone goal for Brooklin.

The second period was the complete opposite as the ball found the back of the net 12 times split between both teams. Brooklin was able to snare their first lead of the game, scoring five of the period’s first seven goals for a 6-5 lead. Peterborough got hot and went on a 4-1 run shortly afterwards for a 9-7 lead after two.

Peterborough kept their foot on the gas pedal scoring another six goals in the third period while limiting Brooklin to three. Currier and Holden Cattoni capped off their night in the final frame, each scoring a hat trick and two assists to earn five-point nights.

Landon Kells earned the win in net for Peterborough with 39 saves. The win was the Lakers’s largest offensive showing of the season.

“We’re getting more comfortable with each other,” said Mike Hasen, Lakers head coach. “We had a lot of opportunities. They played well but we also got a lot too with 68 shots on goal. It was a great offensive output. Tonight was a good night.” 

The Lakers can rest until next Thursday when they host the first-place Six Nations Chiefs. The game will honour the 1973 Mann Cup-winning Lakers team.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Facing Baseball Umpire Shortage With Immediate Work Available

Peterborough youth baseball is facing a shortage of umpires and the Kawartha Baseball Umpires Association (KBUA) is looking for help for immediate work reported Wednesday.

Several youth games are runnign without umpires according to a report from the KBUA.

The organization is seeking both new and experienced umpires for immediate work.

Fees range from $35 to $75 per game, across all age groups from 8 to 18. This includes house league and rep teams.

For more information or to apply to be a KBUA umpire, email Jamie Graham at graham.jamie15@gmail.com.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Hometown PTBO: Shawn Dunbar With His Success With the Lakefield Chiefs and In Professional Boat Racing

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with Shawn Dunbar about his boat-racing career, the Lakefield Chiefs and living the lakeside life.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion Mitchell Stephens Re-Signs One-Year Deal With Montréal Canadiens

Two-time Stanley Cup champion and Peterborough’s Mitchell Stephens is remaining in Quebec as he signed a one-year two-way contract with the Montréal Canadiens on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the Montréal Canadiens.

The 26-year-old forward played 68 games with the Laval Rocket in 2022-23, scoring 20 goals and 21 assists.

Stephens has played 72 career NHL games with the Tampa Bay Lightning (winning back-to-back Stanley Cups) and Detroit Red Wings. He tallied three goals and 10 assists for 13 points.

The Peterborough forward also played 203 career AHL games with the Syracuse Crunch and the Laval Rocket, netting 57 goals and 68 assists.

Stephens was selected in the second round, 33rd overall by the Lightning in 2015.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.