Last Minute Goal Sinks Lakers

The 2026 MSL season ended too soon for the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers, who had been hoping to play into September. For the fourth consecutive season, the Lakers were knocked out of Mann Cup contention by the Six Nations Chiefs. This year, the Lakers fell in six games, losing the final game 10-3 on home floor at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. “We took a good team to six games, and a lot of people might not have been expecting that,” said forward Braedon Saris. “But that just goes to show the belief we have in our locker room, and I think that will show again next year and we’ll be hungry again.” The Chiefs will host the WLA champion Coquitlam Adanacs in the Mann Cup beginning September 11 at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. They are trying to become the third team to win four national championships in a row after the Peterborough Timbermen/Trailermen (1951-54) and Lakers (2017-22). This is Coquitlam’s first Cup appearance since they lost to Peterborough in 2007. With the Lakers finishing the regular season in third place, expectations were not high for a club that struggled to find a consistent lineup early on. Those fears were laid to rest as the team’s lineup solidified late in the season, finishing on a four-game win streak. They dispatched the Oakville Rock in four games before meeting the Chiefs for the sixth consecutive year in the Finals. “We’re proud of how we came together and put together a good effort. It’s not what we set out to achieve and it’s challenging at times when you have people in and out of the lineup but we showed what we’re capable of for a couple of games in this series. We just didn’t have it for enough games,” said defender Dylan Hutchison. Until Game 6, the home team had won every game with the Lakers taking Game 2 9-8 and Game 4 12-8. The Lakers survived the first five minutes of Game 6, but the Chiefs broke through at 6:15. Ian MacKay scored a pair before Rob Hellyer got the Lakers on the board. Chris Cloutier and Shayne Jackson made it 5-1 before the first period was out. Each team scored twice in the second period, with Saris capitalizing on the Lakers only power play of the game. Brad McCulley snuck a shot in from the side of the net with 3.8 seconds left. The Lakers were held scoreless in the third period. “Our offence, they work hard every game,” said goaltender Drew Hutchison. “It just wasn’t our night. Our shots weren’t sinking. But you have to give Six Nations credit, they have a great defence and they have two great goalies. We gave it our all, but we just didn’t have enough juice to get by them.” Hutchison started Game 1 after taking command of the net towards the end of the regular season. He was lifted midway through the game for the experienced Nick Rose, who locked it down in Games 2-4. But late in Game 4, Rose felt something tweak in his knee. He backed up Game 5 and arrived early to Game 6 for treatment but didn’t feel like he could be effective. Head coach Mike Hasen said with a wry smile after the game that there were too many injuries to list after such an intense playoff season. The Finals were rough and took a toll on every player. The bruises will fade but the memory of losing never gets easier. “It’s a bad taste in our mouth right now, just having that still fresh,” captain Robert Hope said. “I wish we could play right now, play again. It’s a long wait. I’m already thinking about next year. Anytime you miss out on an opportunity it’s difficult because you have that bad taste and you only get so many runs at it.” Hasen expects the core of the team to return next summer. “The bitter pill of defeat is on the tips of their tongues right now,” he acknowledged. “A lot of the guys have a long winter ahead of them (in the NLL), some are still in school. We’ll circle back and we’ll see but I do expect a good core of this group back to continue to battle.” The experience of this season will only help them in the future, he added. “Moreso because there’s a lot of new guys that are being introduced to this series, which bodes well for us moving forward. We’ve made a cognizant effort, while we’re trying to load up with superstar talent, to really have the core pieces that are young, learn.” Hope believes this was the closest the Lakers have come in four years, and that they’ll continue to close the gap next summer. “I really love this group. I really do… I believe the future is bright for us. We’ll learn lessons from this one and right back at it next year.” Of Note - Attendance was 3,134 – the biggest crowd of the season - Jake Withers won 15/16 faceoffs - Peterborough was 1/1 on the power play while the Chiefs were 1/3 - The Chiefs outshot the Lakers 66-41 - Doug Jamieson was named the playoff MVP and winner of the Johnny Shooter Davis Award - Rob Hellyer and Ryan Lanchbury tied for first in playoff scoring with 36 points each. Hellyer picked up 16G/20A and Lanchbury 11G/25A. Dhane Smith finished third with 13G/19A/32P. Full Lakers Scoring Rob Hellyer 1-1 Braedon Saris 1-0 Brad McCulley 1-0 Ryan Lanchbury 0-2 Thomas Hoggarth 0-1 Matt Gilray 0-1 PHOTOS BY DAVID PICKERING @_picks_pics

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers want seven games. The Lakers fell to the Six Nations Chiefs 11-5 in Game 5 of the MSL Finals on Thursday night at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena, meaning they now trail the Chiefs 3-2 in the best-of-seven. Game 6, on Sunday night at the Memorial Centre, is a must-win, or the season is over. If they win, Game 7 is Tuesday night back at the ILA. Over the next two days, the Lakers will “rest, recover and refocus and get ready to lay it all on the line for each other,” according to head coach Mike Hasen. The biggest games are always saved for last. “It’s going to be the most exciting game all year,” said defender Jordan Stouros. “We’re looking forward to it; we’re as dialed in as we can be.” Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster, or through the box office by phone at 705-743-3561 or in person at the PMC. The Lakers were held scoreless through the first period and trailed 4-0. The Chiefs upped their lead to 7-0 on a hat trick from Lyle Thompson that included a penalty shot goal, before Ryan Lanchbury got Peterborough on the board. “We just couldn’t get going,” said Hasen. “Just kind of stuck in first gear a bit and they slowly pecked away at us. It’s not like we let it get out of hand or out of control, we still had our opportunities, we just weren’t our best to start, to say the least.” The Chiefs were awarded the penalty shot after a crease melee saw Liam Patten take a five and a two after a Chief fell into Drew Hutchison, with Colton Armitage already in the box. Adam Jay and Dhane Smith also received offsetting minors, and Jake Withers a 10-minute misconduct. Lanchbury kicked off a three-goal run with shorthanded and power play markers. Brad McCulley added a behind-the-back highlight reel marker. Dhane Smith and Rob Hellyer traded goals to end the period with the Lakers trailing 8-4. Hellyer’s second of the game was a sharp bounce shot four minutes into the third period. But, the Chiefs scored the next three: Chris Cloutier on a crease dive, Ian MacKay on a fast break and Andrew Kew scored on a sidearm shot. Hutchison got the call in goal. It was his first action after he was pulled in Game 1 at the ILA. Nick Rose had played in his place. “That was a little bit of overthinking a bit,” Hasen explained. “We expected a long series. Hutchy’s been really good for us and we just wanted them to have different look at him to start… He settled in and gave us an opportunity.” The Lakers will be ready to lay everything on the line Sunday to continue his season. Get your tickets now for the game of the season. It’s a 7 p.m. start on Sunday at the PMC. Of Note - Jake Withers won 12/14 faceoffs with Frank Coyle 1/2 and Matt Gilray 0/3. The Chiefs won 6/19. - Peterborough was 1/4 on the power play with one shorthanded marker while the Chiefs were 3/5 with a penalty shot goal. - A good crowd took in the game outdoors at Quaker Square on the big screen. The Boro will host another free watch party for Game 7! Full Lakers Scoring Ryan Lanchbury 2-1 Rob Hellyer 2-0 Brad McCulley 1-0 Justin Sykes 0-1 Braedon Saris 0-1 Frank Coyle 0-1 Colton Armitage 0-1 Photos by Samuel Gassira @gasstanksports and Anna Taylor

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers and the Peterborough Memorial Centre have announced that tickets for Game 6 of the MSL Finals will be on sale Thursday morning at 10 a.m. The game will take place Sunday, August 30 at 7 p.m. The Lakers forced a sixth game in the best-of-seven series after beating the Six Nations Chiefs 12-8 in Game 4 on Tuesday night in front of a season-high crowd of 3,125. The winner of the series will host the Coquitlam Adanacs in the 2026 Mann Cup. This is the sixth consecutive year the Lakers and Chiefs have met in the finals, and 10 th time since 2014. Peterborough has won four times, and Six Nations five including the last three. So far in the current series, Six Nations took Games 1 and 3 on their home turf 11-5 and 12-9, and the Lakers responded with wins at the Memorial Centre in Games 2 (9-8) and 4. Game 5 is Thursday night at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena at 8 p.m. The Boro is hosting a free Watch Party at Quaker Square. Come downtown early, grab a bite to eat at one of the great restaurants in the area, wear your Lakers colours and get ready to cheer! Tickets for Game 6 are available through Ticketmaster , by phone at 705-743-3561, or in person at the Doane Grant Thornton Box Office. Those who opted into Pay as You Play packages had their cards charged on Wednesday. If necessary, Game 7 will be at the ILA on Tuesday, September 1.

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers played well enough for 53 minutes on Tuesday night to hold on for a 12-8 win over the Six Nations Chiefs at the Memorial Centre. The win ties the MSL Final series at two games apiece, meaning the series is down to a best of three to determine who will host the Mann Cup. Game 5 is Thursday in Six Nations at 8 p.m., with Game 6 set for Sunday night at 7 p.m. back at the Memorial Centre. If necessary, Game 7 will be next Tuesday, September 1 in Six Nations. Peterborough took an 11-2 lead into the third period, hanging on at that score until Dhane Smith broke through on a power play with 7:07 left. Three more goals ensued in the next two minutes, which cut the lead to 11-6. Late power plays allowed the Chiefs to close the gap even further before Matt Gilray scored into the empty net off a Jake Withers faceoff win. “We came out with a purpose and played a great game,” said goaltender Nick Rose. “The third period is what it is. That’s going to happen in lacrosse. Teams are going to find goals and penalties are going to happen but overall we can be pretty satisfied with our performance.” Rose made 56 saves: 17 in the first period, 16 in the second and 23 in the third as the Chiefs pressed. “We knew they were going to have a push. There are all-world players over there. You’re not going to hold them down for an entire game.” Head coach Mike Hasen called it Rose’s best game ever in a Lakers uniform. “He’s playing exceptionally well, and it leads out from there,” Hasen praised. The Lakers had their best start of the playoffs, building up a 6-0 first period lead. Justin Sykes quick-sticked the ball in from the front of the net just 55 seconds into the game. Thomas Hoggarth made it 2-0 at 4:26. Taite Cattoni scored a pair of nearly identical outside shots four minutes apart, prompting the Chiefs to pull Warren Hill in favour of Doug Jamieson. Jamieson held down the fort for about five and a half minutes before Ryan Lanchbury, with a wicked underhand, and Brad McCulley, with a quick stick on the crease, scored late power play goals. Braedon Saris kicked off the second period by scoring on a rebound. Nate Sage took one for the team, earning the Lakers a five-minute power play, after he was pushed into the boards by Ian MacKay before Kyle Rubisch came in with the late hit up high. Cattoni took just 18 seconds to score his third of the game. His fourth came at the other end of the major penalty, though the Chiefs were able to kill off a five-on-three in the interim. Lyle Thompson finally got the Chiefs on the board at the 13:24 mark after he finished off Latrell Harris’ transition pass. Gilray responded three minutes later, converting Withers’ cross-floor pass while shorthanded for the Lakers’ 10 th goal. Dawson Theede scored 24 seconds later, on the power play, but it was Rob Hellyer who had the last laugh of the period, launching an outside shot into the back of the net. Warren Hill returned to the Chiefs net for the third period, likely to rest Jamieson who will start Thursday. “We did the right things in the first two periods,” said Cattoni. “We have to work on finishing the game obviously. We took some penalties and did the things we couldn’t do, but a win’s a win in the playoffs and they’re never easy. That’s a great team and we found a way to get a win here at home.” There was a melee with five seconds left in the game – Andrew Kew received a five-miniute major for cross checking Colton Armstrong to the floor, while Ian MacKay pulled off captain Robert Hope’s helmet and delivered a couple of punches to his jaw. Everyone else on the floor grappled with a member of the opposition. MacKay, Kew, Withers and Armstrong each received 10-minute misconducts, as did Dustyn Birkhof and Tyler Biles after they had words when lining up for the play to restart. The Boro will host a Watch Party for Game 5 on Thursday beginning at 8 p.m. at Quaker Foods City Square downtown. Tickets for Game 6 go on sale Thursday morning at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster and the Doane Grant Thornton Box Office. “There are no guarantees against the Six Nations Chiefs,” said Rose. “We’re going to have to win one on the road, we might as well make it the next game and see if we can’t come back home and try to finish it off.” Of Note - Attendance was 3,125 – the biggest crowd of the season - Peterborough was outshot by Six Nations 64-50 - Jake Withers won 16/20 faceoffs with Colton Armstrong 0/1 and Matt Gilray 0/2. The Chiefs won 7/23. - Peterborough was 4/5 on the power play with one shorthanded marker while the Chiefs were 4/6 - The Coquitlam Adanacs defeated the Victoria Shamrocks four games to two in the Western Lacrosse Association Finals, and will represent the WLA at the 2026 Mann Cup Full Lakers Scoring Taite Cattoni 4-0 Matt Gilray 2-0 Ryan Lanchbury 1-5 Braedon Saris 1-4 Rob Hellyer 1-3 Thomas Hoggarth 1-2 Brad McCulley 1-2 Justin Sykes 1-0 Jake Withers 0-2 Colton Armstrong 0-1 Dylan Hutchison 0-1 Photos by David Pickering @_picks_pics

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers played well on the road Sunday night but couldn’t quite get past the Six Nations Chiefs in a 12-9 loss. That gives the Chiefs a 2-1 series lead in the best of seven MSL Final with Game 4 set for Tuesday at the Memorial Centre. “For a 10-minute window in the second period they outworked us,” said defensive coach Bobby Keast. “We didn’t execute our jobs. Lacrosse can be a simple sport when you execute game plans. Don’t ever let a team get on a run.” Despite an early 2-0 deficit, the Lakers responded quickly and with force as both Justin Sykes and Rob Hellyer scored twice in the period to lead 4-2. Hellyer’s second goal came after Nick Rose made a big stop on a Tyson Bell fast break – Rose handed the ball off to Colton Armitage, the offence set up, and Hellyer went five-hole. After being held scoreless for most of the first period, the Chiefs’ offence sprung back to life in the second, keeping Peterborough on their heels. They tied the game by the six-minute mark, and although Thomas Hoggarth got one back, some defensive breakdowns allowed Six Nations the run that Keast referred to, as they scored four times in a span of 3:10 for an 8-5 lead. Braedon Saris scored on a power play but Lyle Thompson put a late underhand past Rose to maintain the three-goal lead. Nick Rose was briefly pulled after the Chiefs’ eighth goal but returned on the next possession and only allowed two more goals the rest of the way. Goals were traded three times in the third period, with the Chiefs responding to every Lakers’ comeback attempt. Hellyer scored his hat trick goal but Josh Byrne countered with a power play marker. Ryan Lanchbury cut across the top to score and Brad McCulley scored from his wrong side, but both goals were equalled by empty netters. Tickets for an important Game 4 on Tuesday are on sale now via Ticketmaster or through the Doane Grant Thornton Box Office. Game 5 is back in Six Nations on Thursday night. Of Note - Jake Withers won 21/24 faceoffs, while Tim Edwards won 3/24 - Peterborough was 1/2 on the power play while the Chiefs capitalized three times on five power plays - Due to rain, the Watch Party at Quaker Square was cancelled. The Boro will try again for Game 5 on Thursday! Full Lakers Scoring Rob Hellyer 3-1 Justin Sykes 2-2 Thomas Hoggarth 1-2 Brad McCulley 1-1 Ryan Lanchbury 1-0 Braedon Saris 1-0 Taite Cattoni 0-2 Liam Patten 0-1 Colton Armstrong 0-1 Colton Armitage 0-1 Nick Rose 0-1 Photos by Anna Taylor

LAKERS NATION: THE FINALS ARE COMING TO THE BIG SCREEN! You asked for it! The Peterborough DBIA, in partnership with the City of Peterborough, is bringing the arena energy and road-game excitement to the heart of downtown. Let's gather together at the Quaker Foods City Square to cheer on the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers live on the big screen as they take on the Chiefs in the MSL Finals. Grab takeout from your favourite downtown spot, wear your blue and red, and let’s bring the noise! Quaker Foods City Square Sunday, Aug 23 @ 7:00 PM (Game 3) Thursday, Aug 27 @ 8:00 PM (Game 5) Tuesday, Sep 1 @ 8:00 PM (Game 7 - if necessary) Please note: Watch parties are outdoor events and weather-permitting. Keep an eye on our social media feeds for real-time game-day updates. Visit TheBoro.ca to find downtown dining and shopping options before faceoff!

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers tied the MSL Finals 1-1 on Thursday night with a 9-8 win over the Six Nations Chiefs. Dustyn Birkhof scored the game winning goal with 4:20 remaining, scooping up a missed Chiefs’ pass and blasting in a shot on transition, causing the fans at the Memorial Centre to erupt into their loudest cheer of the season. “It makes the game so much different,” Birkhof said. “To hear the fans going gives us that extra energy that we need and we love it. It really gets us going.” It was both a thrilling and somber moment for Birkhof. He pointed up as he celebrated, dedicating the goal to his late brother Steve, who passed away four years ago Thursday. Much of the Birkhof family, including Dustyn’s older brother and former Laker Broedie, were in attendance. “I said a prayer the shift before that one,” Birkhof said. “He was definitely with me for that final shot. I owe it all to him. Today was a very special day and to get that goal means a lot, not just to me but to the team as well.” Birkhof didn’t play in Game 1, but both his toughness and transition were welcomed in Game 2. It was a busy first period. Six Nations led 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 before the Lakers scored two in a row for their first lead of the series. Rob Hellyer opened the scoring with a shot from his wrong side; Taite Cattoni, in his return from injury, scored two twisters in a row before Colton Armitage before popped in a quick stick á la Cory Vitarelli on the power play. “The worst part is just watching,” Cattoni said of the nearly two months he missed. “It’s nerve-wracking and stressful so props to our fans for enduring that every time. It’s nice to be out there contributing and to get a big win here at home.” Shayne Jackson tied it 4-4 with 1:42 left, and as tensions flared multiple players from both teams ended up in the box. Right after Lyle Thompson made it 5-4, he cross checked Robert Hope in the back at the same time Brendan Bomberry cross checked him in the front. That drew a crowd and three Chiefs and two Lakers were penalized. The Lakers took another penalty shortly after and Chris Cloutier scored four-on-four for a 6-4 Six Nations lead. The Lakers came out hot in the second period and had tied the game by the 4:43 mark on a pair of goals from Braedon Saris, also returned to the lineup after missing nearly a month to injury. 

It was a disappointing start to the 2026 MSL Finals for the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers, who fell 11-5 to the Six Nations Chiefs at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in the best-of-seven series. It was 2-0 before the game was two minutes old. “We didn’t start the game the way we wanted, but they also came out flying,” said goaltender Nick Rose, who replaced Drew Hutchison late in the first period. “And they’re a team that is three-time back-to-back champs. We just have to find a way to match that from the opening faceoff on Thursday and get back to it. We can’t be too focused on the result tonight.” Thomas Hoggarth got the Lakers on the board, but goals from Ian MacKay and Randy Staats made it 4-1 midway through the first. Rob Hellyer got one back, but the Chiefs scored twice late in the period, prompting the goaltender switch. “It’s not a good feeling to get pulled as a goalie and we just let him know that one was on us, and it was,” said rookie defender Brenden Boyle. “Be there for him with a pat on the back. And at the end of the day just show up for the next one.” Peterborough was held scoreless in the second period while the physicality ramped up. Brad McCulley was ejected for a high stick on Nonkon Thompson about four minutes in, kicking off a string of 43 penalty minutes (14 minors, one major, one game misconduct) called in the period. The Chiefs scored three times for a 9-2 lead. Peterborough’s offence found a second gear early in the third period with a three-goal run. Ryan Lanchbury kicked it off with a shorthanded marker far side, followed by Hellyer’s second of the game right up the middle. Hoggarth’s second capped the run as he tossed in a one-handed, underhand marker off of Colton Armstrong’s rebound. Ryan Smith led the Chiefs with three goals and three assists. Josh Byrne and Dhane Smith each scored twice and assisted on three others. The series switches to the Peterborough Memorial Centre for Game 2 on Thursday at 8 p.m. Tickets for both Game 2 and Game 4 (Tuesday, Aug. 25) are on sale now via Ticketmaster or in person/by phone at the arena box office. Of Note - Shots are not kept at the ILA - Jake Withers won 11/19 faceoffs, with Matt Gilray going 0/2. Tim Edwards won 10/21 for Six Nations. - Peterborough was 0-7 on the power play and the Chiefs were 2/5. Full Lakers Scoring Rob Hellyer 2-0 Thomas Hoggarth 2-0 Ryan Lanchbury 1-1 Brenden Boyle 0-1 Matt Gilray 0-1 Colton Armitage 0-1 Photos by Anna Taylor