Lakers look to get a jump on Chiefs
Short-handed Lakers improve to 2-1 on game-winning goal by Steenhuis
The four games between the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers and Six Nations Chiefs could go a long way in deciding first place.
The Lakers won round one 8-7 in Six Nations on Tuesday night and host the Chiefs at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Memorial Centre.
Their final two meetings are the Lakers final two regular season games in late July. The Lakers and Chiefs have met in the Major Series Lacrosse final four consecutive years.
“These games early in the year can determine whether you’re playing at the Memorial Centre in the playoffs or whether you have to travel to Six Nations or somewhere else on the road,” said Lakers GM Paul Day. “These points are very important.”
The Lakers got a boost with two players returning to the lineup Tuesday.
Holden Cattoni, who missed the first two games with work commitments, led with three goals and an assist.
Turner Evans played his first game since Game 6 of the Mann Cup in September after knee surgery forced him to miss the entire National Lacrosse League season. He had two assists.
“Turner is fit and looked good. He looked faster to me than he did last year,” Day said.
“It took Holden a while to get warmed up, but he shot the ball well particularly in the second half of the game.”
The Lakers grabbed the game by outscoring Six Nations 3-1 in the third period.
Both teams are missing a number of key players still participating in the National Lacrosse League final between the Rochester Knighthawks and Saskatchewan Rush. That series will be decided on Saturday.
“It was a good game,” Day said.
“We got off to a slow start. Our bus was a little late getting in, about 6:50 p.m. Both goalies played well. (Doug) Buchan was really good especially when we were short-handed. The third period we controlled most of the loose balls especially offensively.”
Mark Steenhuis scored the winning goal. Corey Small and Shawn Evans had a goal and assist each while Kyle Buchanan and Chad Tutton also scored. Buchan had two assists and Jake Fox one.
Junior A captain Mitch Ogilvie filled in admirably on defence. Buchan also continues to be a good story filling in with Evan Kirk and Matt Vinc playing in the NLL final.
“I think he had his best game (Tuesday) of the three,” Day said. “He hasn’t really played in a year but he’s done a pretty good job for a 24-year-old. Any night he’s played he’s given us a chance to win.”