Belief Not Enough to Get by Chiefs in MSL Final

A couple of days later and the ending of the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers 2025 season still stings for captain Robert Hope, and it will for a while. 

The Lakers were eliminated, for the third consecutive summer, by the Six Nations Chiefs in the MSL finals. They lost 4-1, winning Game 4 at home by a single goal but falling in Game 5 on Monday night 12-7. 

Though the Chiefs, defending Mann Cup champions, were touted as the favourites all season long, it was still a tough pill to swallow. The Lakers were the only team to beat the Chiefs during the regular season, and they did it twice, winning both of their meetings at the Memorial Centre and taking the season series 2-1. The Lakers proved their resilience in an epic seven-game semifinal against Brooklin, but could not replicate the results against the highly-skilled Chiefs.

“I thought at times we were so close, even though the score or the stats didn't represent that,” reflected team captain Robert Hope. “We played against good teams; I'm not taking anything away from them and how they played. I think we squandered some opportunities at times, [with slow starts] and how we played and just our commitment level and kind of waiting around for other guys, but then when we did kind of flip the switch and invest in the formula, we looked really good but just a little bit too late.”

The team’s mantra ended up becoming “Believe,” especially after they came back from a 3-2 deficit in the semifinals. Although going down 3-0 in the finals made coming back feel unlikely, the players believed they could after winning Game 4. One game at a time became the mantra.

Unfortunately, the Lakers slow starts played a part in Game 5. The team’s only goal in the first period, a breakaway from Jordan Stouros (his first goal of the year), was sandwiched on either side by a pair of Chiefs goals for a 4-1 lead.

Ryan Smith made it 5-1 before Justin Sykes responded with an outside shot. The Chiefs got the next three goals, including a pair from Dhane Smith, one shorthanded. Nick Rose replaced Drew Hutchison at that point but Ryan Smith scored on the first shot Rose faced. Braedon Saris got a last-minute goal for Peterborough on a power play.

Ian MacKay opened the third period by putting the Chiefs up 9-3. But their undisciplined play cost them and allowed the Lakers to attempt a comeback. After a scrum in the corner between Dawson Theede and Robert Hope turned into a near line-brawl, Brad McCulley and Nonkon Thompson squared off with McCulley getting the better of Thompson. The pair, as well as Theede, were ejected for fighting, and the two Chiefs also received roughing minors setting the Lakers on a full two-minute five-on-three power play. Joe Resetarits scored on the power play and Mike Robinson just after it had expired before the Chiefs got their fifth player on the floor. Matt Marinier caused a turnover at centre and ran in to score unassisted, but the Lakers kept pressing and made quick work of another power play, with Saris picking up yet another man-up goal. Justin Sykes picked up ball after a Jake Withers’ faceoff win and scored 16 seconds later. All of a sudden, the Chiefs’ lead was down to just three goals with half the period left to play. 

But it was not to be. As the Lakers pulled Rose (and sent Hutchison sprinting back and forth on each possession), Josh Byrne was able to get one with 3:10 left. Tyson Bell then picked up a transition marker with 2:36 left, despite Hutchison’s heroic effort to get back into the net. The Lakers finished a man down after the referees ruled Hutchison threw his stick to try to stop Bell.

Peterborough was forced to watch the Chiefs celebrate for the third year in a row.

“It stings,” said head coach Mike Hasen. “Especially with this series, I know the score isn’t very flattering, but we battled. You take the three best players off of every NLL team and you pop them on one it’s going to be a great roster. They’re such a good team that capitalizes on every single mistake you make. I thought we held our own.”

“Anytime that your season ends in a loss you're disappointed in that,” said Hope. “I am still very proud to be a Laker and of the teammates that I get to put the jersey on with. I really hope that we learned a lot of lessons throughout the season. We had our ups and downs and a couple hard fought series for sure.”

This group felt special, and eerily familiar, said Hasen.

“When Paul Day, Tracey Kelusky, Bobby Keast and I started in 2015, this team is very reminiscent of where we were back then,” he pointed out. “We had a great core of veteran guys and a really good core of young guys that are better players now having learned from some of the best players. Right now I think we could be a little bit of the same blue print but we have a behemoth that we have to play each year.”

It's been 10 years (8 seasons) since Hasen and co. took over managing the team, when players like Hope, Withers and Holden Cattoni were just starting their professional careers. Fans have been able to watch them grow up and become not only incredible lacrosse players, but incredible human beings. Now those veterans are being counted on to lead the way for the next generation of players like Mike Robinson, Ben Trumble, Adam Thistlethwaite and Braedon Saris.

“You only get so many chances with a with a special group and every year there is turnover, five players usually kind of in and out with retirement, free agency, family, job,” said Hope. “I don't like squandering opportunities, and it was a special group and it is a special group, and I feel like if we continue to improve we can get back to where we want to be with how we want to play and the winning tradition that we've been able to be a part of.”

It's much too early for the players to think about next summer, but Hasen hopes to keep as many members of the core group together.

“There will be a few conversations. The dynamics and financials of the game come into play for a lot of guys. Hopefully we keep as much of this core together as we can. We’re close, we need to add a few pieces to help push through and hopefully close that gap on those guys next year.”



We caught up with a few players after the final buzzer to talk about their seasons. Here’s what they said:

Ben Trumble, on his rookie season and what he learned along the way: 

“I really enjoyed playing this season. Obviously, not the outcome that we wanted but I’ll cherish every moment of it. The small details mean so much. You really have to come in and compete every day and not take any steps off because it's just so fast-paced. These guys are so good and you really need to be dedicated.”

Brad McCulley, on if he’ll  be back in 2026:

“It was an amazing summer. Peterborough is just an unbelievable city to play in. With everybody there, the building is full, getting 3500 people in it. All the history and everything. I couldn't have had more fun and I loved every second of it. If I'm still living out East, which I most likely will be, and if the coaching staff wants me back, then I will 100% be back.”

Nick Rose on what he’ll remember most about this summer:

“Honestly just playing at the Mem Centre all summer. Obviously unbelievable crowd, nowhere in Canada replicates that at least for summer lacrosse, so yeah just playing at the Men Centre in front of all those fans. They always had our back through thick and thin so that's definitely the best memory, getting a chance to not be a visitor in that building.”

Nick Rose on whether he’ll be back:

“That's a good question! I have a lot to think about before next summer, I obviously have to sort out NLL and all that kind of stuff, but I'd love to be back as a Laker. Obviously I don't know what that summer brings, and I am getting a little long in the tooth for summer lacrosse, but still having fun with it so as long as the passion is there I'll definitely be looking to come back.”

Ben Trumble on which teammates acted as a mentor for him this season:

“Hopey is always an easy answer just because he's so vocal and someone who's been my coach and now my teammate. He’s just been so supportive and helpful and I feel like all the guys like Pacer, Gilray, Army, everyone on the defence side of things and the offensive side have taught me so much.”

Brad McCulley, on the fight in the third period:

“I think obviously emotions boil over, game five of a pretty good series. Somebody was trying to get Hopey and I had to go in there and protect our captain.”

Nick Rose on how he was able to finish with the third-best GAA in the league (7.04):

“Honestly just being around a good team like this. I played last year in Oakville and I think I probably came in having a good year last summer too, but this year just being around the staff and the players really kind of helped me settle into being a Laker right from the get-go and allowed me just to come in and be me rather than having all that pressure that I maybe had in past years.”

Mike Hasen, on who he believes really improved their game this season:

“Mike Robinson took his game to another level with us this year. He really stepped up and established himself on the floor and had some great numbers. Ben Trumble as a rookie as well. He has the tools and he did a great job. Pager played himself into the lineup and the only reason he wasn’t in the lineup (in the finals) is he was injured. He did a great job for us. T-Waite does what T-Waite does especially for a young guy. We made that trade for Saris and we knew he was going to be good and he established himself real quick.”

Photos by Anna Taylor