Two evenly matched historic rivals in a playoff battle for the ages
Matthews had the hot stick in Game 5 clutch victory for the Lakers
The rivalry between the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers and the Six Nations Chiefs has produced some dramatic moments and the ending of Game 5 ranks right up there.
Trailing most of the game, the Chiefs rallied from a three-goal, third-period deficit to take a 12-11 lead on Cody Jamieson’s fourth goal with 2:31 left in regulation time before a stunned sold out Evinrude Centre crowd.
Zach Currier, set up by his brother Josh, tied it 43 seconds later and with 28 seconds left the Lakers got the ball and called a timeout.
They pulled goalie Matt Vinc for an extra attacker to play for the last shot of the game.
Offensive coach Tracey Kelusky drew up a play and with 2.4 seconds left Mark Matthews found the back of the net to give the Lakers a 13-12 win and 3-2 series lead in the best-of-seven Major Series Lacrosse final.
The Lakers head to the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena on Thursday night hoping to clinch a third straight MSL title. If necessary, Game 7 would be Monday at the Evinrude Centre at 5 p.m., an earlier time than originally announced.
The Western Lacrosse Association champion Victoria Shamrocks will host the MSL winner for the Mann Cup beginning on Sept. 6.
“Mark had the hot stick and I didn’t know if they were going to shut off Evy (Shawn Evans),” Kelusky said.
“So we buried Evy down low and with his vision as well they didn’t so we got the ball in his stick. We had a couple of options if they did shut off Evy but Mark will be the first guy to tell you 99 (Holden Cattoni) set an unbelievable screen and we got lucky.”
Four of the five games have been decided by two or fewer goals, two by just one, in what has been a high quality classic showdown.
“It’s two evenly matched teams and it is a war on the floor,” Kelusky said.
“Both teams are battling and sometimes it is that last shot. You look at both rosters and they’re all-star teams with all-star calibre players. No matter the score no one is ever thinking they are out of it. They have confidence in their ability and confidence in their teammates ability.
“Our message in the third was stick to the game plan. They go up by one with two-and-a-half left and I didn’t see any panic on our guys’ behalf. Everyone was composed and knew anyone could tie it up because of what we have. I’m sure they feel the exact same way on the other side.”
As much as Matthews says the Lakers like playing in front of their home crowd, he said the atmosphere Tuesday was the best this season, they’d really like to avoid Game 7.
“I’d like them to watch us play from a few provinces over,” Matthews said.
NOTES: Lakers GM Paul Day said no suspensions will come of the fight between Bryce Sweeting and Broedie Birkhof at the final buzzer of Game 5.