Lakers stage late comeback
Lakers now only unbeaten team in MSL after edging Chiefs on three late goals to move into a tie for first place.
Talk about leaving your best to last.
In a battle of unbeaten teams, the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers offence awoke from a 30-minute slumber for a shocking turn of events in the final 140 seconds. Three answered goals lifted the Lakers past the Six Nations Chiefs 7-6 before 3,016 fans at the Memorial Centre Thursday night.
Bryce Sweeting’ s first MS L goal on a dramatic breakaway with 12 seconds left clinched the win. It came 40 seconds after Kyle Buchanan tied it. Thomas Hoggarth’s goal with 2:20 left broke a scoreless drought of more than 30 minutes. The Lakers improved to 5-0 and Six Nations slipped to 5-1.
“I don’t know if I’ll get a bigger one in the MSL,” Sweeting said. “Against Six Nations to win the game ... that’s the cherry on top.”
Sweeting scooped up a loose ball that popped loose out of a scrum.
“I got a lucky bounce,” he said. “I realized I was on a breakaway. I play with Wardo (Chiefs’ goalie Dillon ward) in the winter in the NLL so I kind of know him a bit. He gave me the far side and I found the corner some how.”
The early season match featured teams with a fraction of the players they’ll dress come playoffs. The Lakers were missing 11 regulars to injuries and other commitments and the Chiefs 15.
“The last two games we scored a lot of goals (45) but we strayed from our game plan tonight,” said Lakers GM Paul Day, filling in for head coach Mike Hasen.
“Sometimes old habits come back when it’s a tight game. Guys are competitive and they think they can win the game on their own. Offensively, I think that was kind of our downfall. Both goaltenders were real good and we just found a way to win.
“This time of year these games can come back to haunt you. It’s an important win.”
Tied 3-3 after 20 minutes, the Lakers lone goal of the second period, which tied the game 4-4, was a special one for the Cattoni family. Junior call-up Taite Cattoni, in his first MSL game, tossed a pass to brother Holden who fired a shot top corner. Taite was called out of the stands 10 minutes before game time after Brad Self was a late scratch with a sore knee after warm-up.
“It’s the first time I have ever played with my brother,” Holden said. “He’s four years younger than me so I aged out of junior before he came in. For him to play here is a pretty special feeling and to assist on one of my goals is pretty cool. I’m sure my dad will want the ball and will hold onto it for a long time.”
The excitement was short-lived as Jordan Durston restored the Chiefs lead 1:08 later for a 5-4 margin they carried to the third.
The Chiefs took the game’s first two-goal lead 8:15 into the third as Craig Point’s sixth point, and second goal, capped a series of passes.
The Lakers drew within a goal when Hoggarth squeaked a give-and-go pass from Cattoni through Ward’s legs. With Matt Vinc pulled for an extra attacker Buchanan converted a pass from Turner Evans to tie it.
“It gives us a big boost early in the season to win that game and have the confidence against that team which eliminated us last year,” Cattoni said. “To make a comeback late in the game shows a lot of character in our room.
“We have to win these games to have Game 7 at home (in the playoffs).”
LAKERS 7 CHIEFS 6
Lakers (5-0-0) scorers: Holden Cattoni (2-2), Kyle Buchanan (1-1), Shawn Evans (1-0), Jake Fox (1-0), Bryce Sweeting (1-0), Thomas Hoggarth (1-0), Robert Hope (0-2), Taite Cattoni (0-1), Ian Llord (0-1), Matt Vinc (0-1). Chiefs (5-1-0) scorers: Craig Point (2-3), Jordan Durston (1-3), Wayne Van Every (1-3), Danton Miller (1-1), Vaughn Harris (1-0), Brendan Bomberry (0-1). Next for the Lakers: Visit Cobourg Kodiaks at 6 p.m. Sunday. They host Oakville at 8 p.m. Thursday.