In the opening game of the year the Peterborough Lakers (1-0), defending Mann Cup champions, faced the Cobourg Kodiaks (0-1) at the Cobourg Community Centre.
The MSL, after a series of meetings came to an agreement on Friday to play using only a five team league for the remainder of this season. Neither Brampton or Owen Sound would be included in this year’s Major Series Lacrosse season.
The goaltending match-up had Mike Poulin for the Lakers facing Kevin Orleman for the Kodiaks.
This was definitely a game of runs. The biggest was the nine goal run that took Peterborough from trailing to dominating. Cobourg showed a lot of character in their late comeback, but just wasn’t able to overcome, losing 15-11.
To The Game:
The Peterborough Lakers looked like they were shot out of a cannon to begin this game. Turner Evans (2g,5a) opened the scoring converting a Holden Cattoni pass just 0:47 seconds in, followed by Cory Vitarelli (1g,0a) finishing off a Shawn Evans feed at 3:34. Corey Small (2g,0a) increased the Laker lead to 3-0 when he finished off a Turner Evans pass at 4:07.
Cobourg finally got on the board when Cam Milligan (3g,3a) blasted a Ben French pass past Mike Poulin at 6:03, but was answered by Kiel Matisz (1g,3a) in transition at 11:34.
The Kodiaks kept pressing and were rewarded at the end of the period with a run of their own. Cam Milligan scored his second of the game off a Joe French pass at 15:07, followed by Kealen Pilon (1g,3a) off an Aaron Woods pass at 16:53. Brine Rice (2g,2a) continued the Kodiaks run converting a Cam Milligan pass at 18:08 to tie the game.
After one period, Peterborough 4 Cobourg 4.
Second Period:
The Kodiaks kept their run going to start the second period when Joe French (1g,2a) finished off an Aaron Woods pass just 0:28 seconds in, followed by Aaron Woods (1g,2a) himself scoring at 5:09 to give Cobourg a 6-4 lead.
The Peterborough Lakers slowly took charge of the period from this point on. Turner Evans converted an Austin Hasen pass at 5:27, followed by Corey Small converting a Shawn Evans pass at 8:37 to tie the game once again.
Bennett Drake (1g,0a) gave the Kodiaks the lead once again when he scored off a long lead pass from goalie Kevin Orleman at 13:41, but was answered back by Holden Cattoni (2g,2a) on the power play at 16:03. Cattoni scored his second of the game up assisted at 17:24, followed by Thomas Hoggarth (2g,1a) converting a Turner Evans pass at 18:06.
After two periods, Peterborough 9 Cobourg 7.
Third Period:
Cobourg got into penalty trouble in this period, and the Lakers made them pay.
Thomas Hoggarth scored his second consecutive goal of the game converting a Shawn Evans pass at 1:21 on the power play, followed by Ben Trumble (1g,0a) finishing off a Thomas Whitty pass also on the power play at 2:23. Mitch Ogilvie (1g,0a) then added to the Laker lead unassisted again on the power play. Austin Hasen (2g,1a) scored the next two Lakers goals, first at 10:38 off a Thomas Hoggarth pass, followed by a beautiful individual effort unassisted at 11:47. Peterborough continued the onslaught when Caleb Creasor (1g,0a) scored unassisted at 12:50, to make the score 15-7.
Cobourg finally stopped the Lakers run at nine, with a mini run of their own. Gareth Haigh (1g,0a) scored on a Kealen Pilon pass at 13:37, followed by Cam Milligan scoring his third of the night off a Scott Dominey pass at 16:25. Brine Rice scored his second of the night off a Kealen Pilon pass at 18:01, followed by Ben French with his second at 18:42, but it was too little too late.
Final score, Peterborough 15 Cobourg 11.
Top Scorers:
Peterborough Lakers:
- Turner Evans 2g, 5a
- Shawn Evans 0g, 5a
- Holden Cattoni 2g, 2a
Cobourg Kodiaks:
- Cam Milligan 3g, 3a
- Brine Rice 2g, 2a
- Kealen Pilon 1g, 3a
Don’t forget to check us out every Sunday night at 9pm (ET).
Gary Groob has been involved with Lacrosse for the majority of his life, whether playing, coaching, or covering the sport for the media.
An avid fan, with a real drive about helping to “grow the game”, Gary became part of podcasts about the game in 2010. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob was given an opportunity to write about lacrosse, and the rest as they say, is history.
Through many miles (flying and driving) Gary has made inroads with the National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse League, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, as well as the Arena Lacrosse League, covering the leagues, their teams, and players, working for, and in concert with all of them.
In the year 2020, Mr. Groob was made the media person for the Arena Lacrosse League, voted onto the board of directors of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club, as well as being made administrator of the Lacrosse page “Global Lacrosse” with a membership of 9000 members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022.
Mr. Groob co-hosts a weekly Lacrosse show on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, as well as writes a weekly lacrosse column for La Portada Canada News (both in print, and online).
Gary also hosts a Lacrosse talk show and podcast for The Edge of Philly Sports Network, seen live Sunday nights at 9pm (ET), and archived on the Edge of Philly YouTube page, as well as Spotify.
Mr. Groob’s other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.
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