Lakers fall behind 2-0 in series after road loss

Chiefs head coach surprised but happy as Six Nations takes command of MSL title series

Game two of the Major Series Lacrosse final picked up right where the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers and Six Nations Chiefs left off on Sunday night, with the Chiefs just slightly edging the Lakers in the closest, roughest game of the season 12-10 on Tuesday night at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Ohsweken.

The Chiefs now lead the series 2-0 with Game 3 back at the Evinrude Centre on Thursday at 8 p.m.

“Knowing how good they are and the battles we’ve had in the past, we probably didn’t expect to be up 2-0 but every game we go out we plan to win,” said Chiefs head coach Rich Kilgour. “It’s a little surprising but we’re happy where we are right now.”

Through 60 minutes the clubs matched each other goal for goal. The Chiefs held one-goal leads after both the first and second periods but the Lakers equalled the score both times less than a minute in. Neither team ever held more than a two-goal edge at any point until the last few minutes of the game when the Chiefs briefly led 12-9.

Corey Small, who was a healthy scratch in game one, had a hat trick five minutes into the second.

Shawn Evans tied the score at eight 41 seconds into the third on a five-on-three power play. Lyle Thompson and Chris Cloutier scored on consecutive outside shots to put the Chiefs up 10-8. Cloutier’s goal was a wasted shot from the restraining line taken at the end of a shot clock.

Joe Resetarits used Tyson Bell as a screen to fool Doug Jamieson to pull back within one but the Chiefs added two insurance markers.

Small led the Lakers with three goals and one assist. Shawn Evans scored twice and added two assists. Joe Resetarits scored twice and assisted once and Josh Currier also scored two goals. Kiel Matisz scored a late goal. Kyle Buchanan and Mark Matthews each had three helpers while Turner Evans and Matt Gilray had single assists. Mike Poulin made 45 saves.

Doug Jamieson played his second game in a row and made 47 saves for the Chiefs.