Sunday's Game Six Now Do or Die as Lakers Falter in Game 5

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

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers will open the 2026 MSL Finals on Tuesday, August 18 at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena against the Six Nations Chiefs. It is the sixth consecutive year the Lakers and Chiefs have played for the MSL title, and their 10th time out of the last 11 years. Peterborough hasn't missed an MSL Final since 2013. In that time, the Lakers have won five MSL titles and four Mann Cups, and the Six Nations Chiefs five MSL titles and five Mann Cups. This year, the Mann Cup will be hosted by the MSL champion, against either the Victoria Shamrocks or Coquitlam Adanacs of the Western Lacrosse Association, beginning September 11. MSL FINALS SCHEDULE Tuesday, August 18 - @ Six Nations - 8 p.m. Thursday, August 20 - @ Peterborough - 8 p.m. Sunday, August 23 - @ Six Nations - 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 25 - @ Peterborough - 8 p.m. *Thursday, August 27 - @ Six Nations - 8 p.m. *Sunday, August 30 - @ Peterborough - 7 p.m. *Tuesday, September 1 - @ Six Nations - 8 p.m. *if necessary Tickets for the MSL Finals at the Peterborough Memorial Centre go on sale Monday, August 17 at 10 a.m. online via Ticketmaster or by phone/in person at the Doane Grant Thornton Box Office. If you can't make it to the arena, home games will be broadcast on YourTV (Cogeco) and streamed on FloSports (subscription required). All away games are streamed on FloSports.

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers are right where they want to be: heading back to the MSL Finals for the 11 th consecutive season. The Lakers eliminated the Oakville Rock from the on Tuesday night with a 14-8 win at the Memorial Centre, taking the best-of-five series 3-1. The Lakers won games one and three on the road. Ryan Lanchbury and Rob Hellyer combined for 18 points; half of those were assists from Lanchbury, who had his best game as a Laker since he was acquired from Oakville in a three-team swap earlier this summer. Lanchbury, who led the NLL in assists this past season, has translated his abilities well to the Lakers’ right side along with Hellyer and Thomas Hoggarth. Lanchbury is tied for the playoff scoring race with Oakville’s Alex Simmons at 20 points each, though Lanchbury leads with 15 assists. The first period was wildly back and forth with neither team gaining much ground. The Lakers led 5-4 after the opening period, then upped their lead to two goals after the second. Defender Alex Pace scored a highlight reel goal, his first of the season, as he picked up a Hellyer rebound and nimbly jumped to avoid the crease while shooting.  In the third, the Lakers pulled away completely, outscoring Oakville 5-1 as momentum and experience took over. Drew Hutchison made 48 saves as he turned in another stellar performance between the pipes. The Lakers played hard but clean after being spending too much time in the penalty box during their prior three games. It’s a formula they’ll look to perfect against the Six Nations Chiefs, who they will meet in the final for the sixth season in a row. It will be a full best-of-seven series. The winner of the MSL Finals will host the 2026 Mann Cup Canadian championship. Peterborough last hosted and won in 2022. The Chiefs have won the last three. They were nearly undefeated during the regular season but finished with two losses – one a forfeit to Oakville, the other an overtime loss to Peterborough – the only team to legitimately beat them on the floor. And since then, the Lakers have only gotten stronger. The schedule will be announced shortly! Post-Game Quotes “It’s a good battle. Ive grown up playing with Hutchy since the junior days so it was nice to get to battle against him. It would have been nice coming out on the other side of this series but someone had to lose and Hutch played great this series and he deserved it.” – Landon Kells, Oakville goaltender “It’s what we hoped. Robbie had a dynamite winter and I think he’s carried it forward here for us. And Lanchbury, I have history with him and I like the way he plays. They play the same position to a certain degree but they’ve figured it out with Hoggy and the three of them are working really well together.” – Lakers head coach Mike Hasen, on the chemistry between Rob Hellyer and Ryan Lanchbury “Atmosphere was great, we kept our composure, we did a great job taking the game to them and it worked out when we stuck to the game plan. It was a great series both ways. I thought Hutchy played awesome, we have the utmost faith in him.” – Lakers defender Matt Gilray “It’s going to be good lacrosse. Oakville got us ready at the right time, to be prepared to the best of our ability for handling the juggernaut. They’re the best team in lacrosse by any stretch of the imagination and we’re going to battle them.” – Hasen, on the Six Nations Chiefs “Looking for guys and trying to find sticks and if there’s a little gap just trying to hit the stick. Everyone did a really good job getting open tonight and made my job easy.” – Lanchbury on how he is able to assist on so many goals Of Note - Attendance at the Memorial Centre was 2,337. - Peterborough fired 56 shots on goal while Oakville had 50. - Jake Withers won 22/25 faceoffs in Game 4. Oakville won three faceoffs in Game 4 but only four overall in the series. - Peterborough was 2/2 on the power play Oakville was 0/3. Full Lakers Scoring Rob Hellyer 4-3 Ryan Lanchbury 2-11 Thomas Hoggarth 2-2 Justin Sykes 1-3 Mike Robinson 1-2 Jordan Stouros 1-0 Alex Pace 1-0 Brad McCulley 1-0 Colton Armitage 1-0 Robert Hope 0-1 Dustyn Birkhof 0-1 Colton Armstrong 0-1 PHOTOS BY DAVID PICKERING @PICKS_PICS