Peterborough Lakers Dominate Opening Playoff Game In 12-9 Win Over Brooklin L.C.

The Peterborough Lakers drew first blood in their opening playoff game, never relinquishing the lead against the visiting Brooklin Lacrosse Club in a 12-9 victory at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

After allowing an early goal, Peterborough got down to business, scoring four straight goals from four different goal-scorers to command a 4-1 lead. Jake Stevens cut the deficit to two for Brooklin shorthanded but Peterborough with two special-team goals on the power play and shorthanded from Holden Cattoni’s second goal of the game and Matt Gilray respectively. Peterborough led 6-2 after the first.

Cattoni got a hat trick to start the second period and Austin Hasen joined him on the scoresheet for his first of the playoffs. The teams traded goal-for-goal with Peterborough narrowly widening the gap 10-5 after the second.

Major Series Lacrosse commissioner Lynn Withers presented Cattoni with the league’s leading scorer award prior to the third period. Cattoni finished the regular season with 28 goals and 50 assists. 

Brooklin did not want to leave the PMC quietly as they had a hot start to the period, scoring the first two goals. Eli McLaughlin got a hat trick on the powerplay to give the Lakers more breathing room. The teams traded goals once again that included McLaughlin’s team-leading fourth goal of the night. Brooklin was able to make it 12-9 with just over two minutes left in regulation but the Lakers held on and left the PMC as winners of game one.

Landon Kells picked up the win for Peterborough, making 44 saves on 53 shots.

The Lakers hit the road to Whitby Friday for Game two at Iroquois Park Sports Centre at 8 p.m.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.