Gary Groob
All Lacrosse All The Time – A Division of Edge of Philly Sports Network
Prior to the game the MSL released a statement about a meeting that took place the evening prior…
“After a lengthy period of confusion and delay, the Ontario Lacrosse Association has finally approved the MSL five team format for the 2022 season. For this season – the MSL will be comprised of the Brooklin Lacrosse Club, Cobourg Kodiaks, Oakville Rock, Peterborough Lakers and Six Nations Chiefs. There will be a Mann Cup in September hosted in the home of the MSL champion team.”
The Evening Itself:
In a rematch from last Sunday night in Cobourg, The Cobourg Kodiaks (0-2) visited the Peterborough Lakers (2-0) at the Memorial Centre in Peterborough in front of a sold out crowd. Prior to game time, the Lakers were finally able to raise the banner for winning the 2019 Mann Cup (their third consecutive championship). In the first meeting, the Lakers, powered by a nine goal run, came away with the 15-11 victory.
The goalie match-up had Kevin Orleman in net for Cobourg vs. Mike Poulin in net for the Lakers.
Cobourg gave Peterborough all they could handle, but in the end the Lakers were able to hold on for the 11-9 victory.

To The Game:
The Lakers got rolling early when Thomas Hoggarth converted a Shawn Evans pass at 4:50, but was answered back when Ben French beat Mike Poulin off a Matt Poque pass at 9:18. Hoggarth gave Peterborough the lead once again finishing off a Cory Vitarelli pass at 16:09.
After one period, Lakers 2 Kodiaks 1.
Shots on goal favored Cobourg 19-15.

Second Period:
Hoggarth continued his hot night for Peterborough scoring his third goal just 0:49 seconds into the period.
Cobourg stormed back with two quick goals to tie the game up. Kealen Pilon scored off a Ben French pass at 2:52, followed by Bennett Drake potting a power play goal off a Brandon Robinson pass at 3:58.
Peterborough came back with three goals to gain control of the game. Holden Cattoni finished a Cory Vitarelli pass at 4:47, followed by Shawn Evans converting a Mark Matthews pass on the power play at 10:37. Kiel Matisz scored in transition, shorthanded, off a Holden Cattoni pass at 16:22 to make the score 6-3 for the Lakers.
The Kodiaks got one back before the end of the period when Cam Milligan converted a Bennett Drake pass on the power play at 16:51, but Shawn Evans got his second of the night off a Mark Matthews pass at 18:59.
After two periods, Peterborough 7 Cobourg 4.

The Third Period:
The third opened with Mark Matthews scoring off a Kiel Matisz pass at 1:59, followed by Thomas Hoggarth scoring his fourth of the game off a Shawn Evans feed at 5:11 to take a stranglehold on the game 9-4.
To their credit, the Kodiaks didn’t give up. Brandon Robinson converted a Cam Milligan pass at 6:33, followed by Kealen Pilon scoring his second of the night off a Milligan feed at 9:38. Colton Armstrong continued the Kodiak comeback scoring shorthanded at 10:35, followed by Pilon scoring again at 16:20 to make this just a one goal game.
The Lakers gave themselves a little breathing room when Austin Hasen scored unassisted at 17:45, followed by Turner Evans converting a Kiel Matisz pass at 18:05. Ben French got one back for the Kodiaks but it wasn’t enough on this night.
Final score, Peterborough 11 Cobourg 9.

Game Stats:
- Shots on goal was 54-46 in favor of Cobourg.
- Cobourg dominated the faceoffs 19-4.
- Both teams had a power play and a shorthanded goal in the game.
Top Scorers:
Cobourg Kodiaks:
- Cam Milligan 1g, 4a
- Brandon Robinson 1g, 4a
- Bennett Drake 1g, 2a
Peterborough Lakers:
- Shawn Evans 2g, 3a
- Turner Evans 1g, 4a
- Mark Matthews 1g, 4a
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.