Win in season opener

 

May 23, 2013

by Anna Taylor

 

PETERBOROUGH - Anyone who thought that the Peterborough Lakers might be in trouble this season should think again. The Lakers easily defeated the Brampton Excelsiors on Thursday night at the Memorial Centre by a score of 14-4.

 

The short staffed Excelsiors were simply outmatched by a Peterborough team that boasted just as much youth as it did experience.

 

While both teams were missing key players, Peterborough did as they always do and put on a show for the fans.

 

Despite falling behind 2-0 early in the first period, the Lakers fought back and by the end of the first period led 6-3. Starting goaltender Tyler Carlson, coming off a breakout year with the Minnesota Swarm, shut the door the rest of the way, allowing only one more goal in the final 40 minutes of play, and by then it was too late for the Excelsiors.

 

Brampton was without star players Dan Dawson, Kevin Ross, Kyle Rubisch, and Mike Hominuk, and wasn’t able to set a final roster until game day.

 

Brad Self, fresh off a second consecutive NLL Championship with Rochester, said that Lakers fans shouldn’t be expecting anything different than the usual winning attitude this year.

 

“We did what we were supposed to do,” he said. “When teams are short handed we obviously want to take it to them and we believe that we should win by 9 or 10 goals. I think that shows that we aren’t unraveling.”

 

NLL scoring champion Shawn Evans picked up right where he left off in Calgary, and now leads the MSL with two goals and eight assists.

 

Questions of who would lead the Lakers, missing the flair of John Grant, John Tavares, and Tracey Kelusky on Thursday, were answered by Evans, NLL Transition Player of the Year Jordan MacIntosh, with four goals and three assists, and Cory Vitarelli, who had two goals and three assists. Josh Gillam had two goals and two assists. Returning player Brian Croswell chipped in five assists, while Brad Self had three. Single goals were scored by Scott Evans, Aaron Grayson, Matt Crough, and Stephen Hoar.

 

Mike Thomas, a junior Lakers graduate, played his first game for the senior team. The recent graduate of Colgate University played with spark and had a good shot early on Excelsiors goaltender Scotty Komer.

 

Of the “new look” Lakers, Shawn Evans is positive. “It’s a faster game,” he said. “It’s a speed game now and we have to be creative. We have a lot of young players with good talent.”

 

As for those who believe the Lakers days of domination might be coming to an end, Evans and Self say it’s not happening.

 

“I don’t think thats the case whatsoever,” said Self. “I think there are guys on our team from last year that didn’t get to play a dominant role before with our team being so stacked. This year those guys are going to have to step up and gain their confidence and start to play bigger roles for us.”

 

Evans agrees.

 

“Not as long as I’m on this team,” he stated. “We’re not going to unravel. We’re going to push it all the way. We want to win as much as we can, and that's what we do. We win.”

 

The Lakers first road test is this coming Sunday, May 26 at Whitby’s Iroquois Park Sports Centre vs. the Brooklin Redmen. The next home game for the Lakers is next Thursday, May 30, when they face the Excelsiors again.

Game Notes:
- Attendance was 3031.
- the 50/50 was worth just over $2000.
- Shawn Evans was named the Player of the Game.
- Ted Higgins, as is tradition, sang the first national anthem.
- the Lakers were accompanied on the floor by members of the Peterborough Minor Lacrosse Association, as well as the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 52 Colour Guard.

Prior to the opening faceoff, the Mann Cup banner was raised to the rafters by captain Scott Self and new assistants Brad Self and Shawn Evans. The Mann Cup was then brought to the captain via Peterborough firefighters who rappelled from the ceiling with the trophy.

Lakers fan Sid Sidhu made a presentation to Shawn Evans and Brad Self prior to the start of the 3rd period. Shawn was presented with a trophy in memory of Sid’s mother Gian Kaur Sidhu, for winning the NLL scoring title. He was presented with the trophy for the honour, sportsmanship, and entertainment he was brought to the game of lacrosse. Evans and Self were also presented with medals for inspiring youth participation in sports with their new company Nationwide Lacrosse, whose motto is Dream. Believe. Achieve. Sidhu will donate $200 to sponsor a youth at a camp this summer.

Darryl Gibson, who announced his retirement from lacrosse after the Mann Cup, was convinced to come back to play one more year to bolster the Lakers defence.

Lakers add two

 

May 7, 2013

by Anna Taylor

 

The Peterborough Lakers have acquired two dedicated and hard working transition players from Oakville, the team announced on Monday. Oakville (formerly Ajax) gave up Alex Henderson and Brock Boyle for fourth and third round draft picks, respectively.

 

With the loss of Andrew Suitor and potentially Andrew Watt this year to injury, General Manager Jamie Batley feels that the addition of Boyle and Henderson will give the Lakers added speed and keep the team’s transition game a threat.

 

Boyle, 30, is a veteran of both summer lacrosse and the NLL. Since 2001, he has played for St. Catharines, Six Nations, Brooklin, Brampton, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Ajax in the MSL, while also suiting up for four different NLL teams, most recently Minnesota in 2011. Boyle has also spent time with the still new Canadian Lacrosse League (CLAX) in Peel and Brampton. His debut game with the Lakers will be his 100th senior game. Fans will remember Alex Henderson from 2009. He was drafted 26th overall by the Lakers from the Clarington Green Gaels Jr. B team, and managed to crack the tough Lakers lineup in his rookie season, suiting up for 11 regular season games and 9 playoff games. However, when the Ajax Rock joined the MSL in 2010, Henderson was left off the Lakers 20-man protected list and was picked up by Ajax. He spent a year there before playing last season with Kahnawake Mohawks in the Quebec Senior League.

 

Henderson, now 26, is a sociology/psychology major at Bishop’s University in Quebec, where he plays for the Gaiters field lacrosse team.

 

In a 2010 interview with Stephen Stamp of ilindoor.com, Jim Milligan stated that the Lakers were disappointed to lose Henderson. “[It’s] one of the downfalls of the dispersal draft,” Milligan said. “Unfortunately, sometimes you have to keep the older talent and let the youth go, which we did, and hopefully maybe one day we’ll get him back.”

 

That day has come - welcome home, Alex!

 

The Lakers open their 2013 season at home on May 23 versus the Brampton Excelsiors. Season tickets can now be picked up at the box office. Single game tickets go on sale May 23.

 

--

With files from Stephen Stamp

Lakers gear up for 2013 season

 

April 11, 2013

by Marla Taylor

 

PETERBOROUGH - It was a dark and windy and rainy day on Wednesday April 10, but not nearly miserable enough to deter the Peterborough Lakers from holding a much-anticipated press conference to announce the lineup of the team for the coming 2013 MSL season. Board of Directors member Karl McFadden graciously hosted the event and quickly got things underway by introducing Head Coach and General Manager Jamie Batley. As Jamie took the mike, he introduced his distinguished side-kicks, NLL Leading scorer Shawn Evans, and brothers Brad and Team Captain Scott Self. (These days, those three are busy guys, nearing the end of the regular NLL season and anticipating playoff possibilities. Thanks to them for attending.)

 

First order of business was to announce the retention of Carl Doughty of Doughty Masonry as the team's major sponsor in 2013. He's been the sponsor in the four preceding Mann Cup years-2006, 2007, 2010, and 2012. Hmmm.

 

Jamie then began listing the returning players: Shawn and Scott Evans, Brad and Scott Self, Kyle and Brock Sorensen. He mentioned them first because his delivery was themed toward local development of players and those three brother combos are locally-born. The “foundation must be Peterborough-based”. That's the team's “mandate.” As well, he pointed out that the players mentioned are guys “who show up and work hard and set a good example” for all.

 

Cory Vitarelli, “another key player”, has confirmed his return. “On the back end”, Jordan MacIntosh, Andrew Watt and Mark Steenhuis are also returning, a relief to the team and coaches because they play such “a major role”.

 

Goaltender Tyler Carlson, “who's having a great year in Minnesota”, is returning, as well as Kevin Crosswell, another local product. Rounding out the netminding duties, will be Kurtis Wagar, whom the Lakers signed as a free agent and he's been honing his skills this winter as the Buffalo Bandits' backup goaltender. This is once again a three-man rotation, but Jamie said “it's up to them to decide who's going to be the #1” netminder. As a teaser, or maybe not, he reminded us Mike Thompson has retired, “although that may not mean much if he wants to come back, we'll entertain that further down the road”.

 

Rochester Knighthawks' Jim Purves has elected to play Senior B for the Sarnia Beavers, but Jamie confirmed “we'll use him on a part time basis”.

 

Chad Culp hurt his shoulder earlier this year and is seeing a doctor in Buffalo this week. He thinks he will be sufficiently recovered in time and has committed to play with the Lakers as well.

 

John Tavares is returning as long as he is healthy, so please Lacrosse Gods, make him healthy.

 

Tracey Kelusky is another of our returning heroes, and a welcome one for sure.

 

John Grant has applied for US citizenship and is in the middle of confirming his status, leaving Jamie to conclude he will play “on a limited basis” if he is “eligible to travel to Canada” and can find time away from his field lacrosse responsibilities with the Chesapeake Bay Hawks.

 

Not all the news is good...Many of us witnessed, in horror, the injury to Minnesota's Andrew Suitor, and he's gone for a year, at least. Colorado's Mac Allen tore up his knee in January, and has declined to play this summer as well. Jamie echoed our thoughts and said “both players will be deeply missed on our back end”.

 

Both Mat Giles and Geoff Snider have declined to play and Daryl Gibson retired. Mike Hobbins currently is “uncommitted”, with travel a major issue for him.

 

Chris White, having a super year with the Toronto Rock, hasn't committed for this summer yet, but he just might change his mind at some point...maybe. He's being married this summer, but is showing “good planning and smart play” because his wedding is between the OLA Finals and the Mann Cup. Jamie concluded they're “planning for him not to be here, but we'll leave that spot open” if he changes his mind.

 

Batley ended the press conference with another mention of the team's focus on the three brother combinations, the Evans boys, the Sorensens and the Selfs. Notwithstanding their natural-born talents, they reflect the great foundation in Peterborough's minor system and how well it develops local talent. He noted that approximately 1000 kids have signed up to play lacrosse this year, feeding graduates to our very noteworthy Junior A and C and Norwood Senior B teams. He mentioned Mark Farthing, Pete Rennie and Eric Bissell stayed with the Lakers from their minor teams for much of last season, reflecting the excellent talent constantly being developed in the minor system. “Without our local guys, we wouldn't have anything...We want the local kids to play”.

 

Great philosophy Coach, and the best to you and our wonderful Lakers in 2013.

Chatting with the Captain

 

February 18, 2013

By Anna Taylor

 

“A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” – Wayne Gretzky

 

Gretzky was arguably one of sports smartest players. While there will never be another “Great One,” others in sports, having learned by watching and imitating, do display some of his strengths. Peterborough Lakers captain Scott Self is one such player, an unsung hero when playing with the likes of stars John Grant Jr. and Mark Steenhuis, but is one of the smartest defenders in lacrosse today.

 

Just watch him read the play when he’s on the floor. Self knows exactly where the ball is going to be, and is able to position himself to meet the ball if it’s coming towards the Lakers, or is able to run off the floor and let the offense take over, before anyone else knows what’s going to happen. The best defenders are often ones that people don’t talk about, because they rarely make mistakes. They do their job quietly and effectively.

 

 

A Peterborough native, Self grew up in a sports-minded household. Father Steve was a great hockey player in the early 1970’s, and even spent a season with the NHL’s expansion team in Washington. If you mention the great sports families of Peterborough, Self is a name that comes up often, right there with Evans and Wasson.

 

Scott Self was raised on hockey and lacrosse, playing both at the junior level in his hometown. He never knew anything but excellence, so it is no surprise that he has played at high levels of both sports. Self played three years of university hockey for the Guelph Gryphons before moving on to the National Lacrosse League, where today he guards offensive players from getting too close to Buffalo Bandits goaltender Anthony Cosmo.

 

Self has won five Mann Cups with the Lakers, and has been recognized three times as the Merv McKenzie Memorial Trophy winner as the MSL’s Top Defender.

 

Peterborough Lakers web design team member Anna Taylor recently had the chance to speak with Self about his distinguished career in both amateur and professional sport.

 

AT: Who are you outside of lacrosse? What job do you work at, and what hobbies do you enjoy?

SS: I work as a carpenter’s apprentice. In my free time I enjoy spending time at the cottage with my family. I like movies and playing other sports such as golf, hockey, and squash.

 

AT: Describe the experience of playing both junior hockey and lacrosse in your hometown. SS: Peterborough is a great sports town. I was very fortunate to be able to play junior hockey and lacrosse at home for two great organizations (hockey with the former Jr. A Peterborough Bees organization and lacrosse with the junior Lakers).

 

AT: As a student at the University of Guelph, you played hockey instead of lacrosse. Did you ever consider a pro career in hockey? What made you decide the NLL was right for you?

SS: I was hoping to play pro hockey, but after being drafted by the Bandits I decided to pursue a career in pro lacrosse instead.

 

AT: The profile of OUA hockey has been on the rise recently, with more schools joining the league and media attention on graduating junior players’ education packages. What was your experience like playing university hockey?

SS: It was great. The hockey was very competitive and I was on the ice every day.

 

AT: You played your first full year of senior lacrosse in 2001 out in Victoria (after playing various games as a call up with the Senior Lakers in previous seasons). What was the reasoning behind going out west for that year?

SS: I wanted a chance to travel in the summer, but I still wanted to play lacrosse and this gave me the opportunity to do both.

 

AT: You came back to Peterborough the next summer to play for the Lakers and haven’t left since. What does it mean to you, as a hometown boy, to represent your city as captain of the Lakers?

 

SS: I feel very fortunate to play for the Lakers. We have the best fans and they make the Memorial Centre an awesome place to play. It’s also nice to have my family at all my home games.

 

AT: What’s it like playing with your brother, Brad?

SS: It’s a lot of fun. We never got to play in sports leagues together growing up because of our age difference (Note: Scott is two years older than Brad). It’s great being out there together and getting to share in the Lakers success together.

 

AT: What was it like to represent Canada at the 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships?

SS: It was a real honour to be selected for the team; there are a lot great Canadian lacrosse players. It was a great week of competition and it was a tremendous feeling to bring home the gold medal.

 

AT: You’ve played for several different teams in the NLL over your career (Buffalo, New York, Ottawa, Arizona, Chicago, Edmonton, and Minnesota). What has been your favourite NLL city to play in, and why?

SS: Arizona was great because we had a good young team while I was there. The weather wasn’t bad either! I’d have to say though, that Buffalo (my current team) is my favorite, as our fans are the best and we fill the arena every night.

 

AT: You’ve been named an NLL All Star 3 times, yet you’re a fairly quiet defender most of the time. What does it say about your game that you receive these honours, yet otherwise manage to stay under the radar?

SS: It’s nice to get recognized for doing a good job even if you’re not very flashy.

 

AT: Why defense and not offense (or goal!)?

SS: I’ve always been more defensive minded, so it made sense to be a defender. However, I do love to score and help out the offense when possible! It’s a lot easier to jump on offense in lacrosse than in hockey as there are more opportunities for breakaways.

 

AT: You’re an alternate captain in Buffalo this year. This is your first time wearing a letter for an NLL team. What does the responsibility mean to you, especially with John Tavares serving as captain this year?

SS: I’ve always tried to lead by example and I will continue to do so. John is a great player and an exemplary leader and I’ve learned a lot from him.

 

AT: What would you like to accomplish in your lacrosse career that you haven’t already?

SS: I would love to win the NLL Champions Cup.

 

Scott Self at a Glance

 

Hometown: Peterborough

NLL Team: Buffalo Bandits

Favourite Music: Country

Favourite Pre Game Meal: Chicken, Kraft Dinner and salad

Who Would Play You in a Movie: Liam Neeson

Best Lacrosse Memory: Mann Cup 2004

Biggest Influence/Inspiration: My parents