Tracey Kelusky Becomes 2023 Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame Inductee

Four-time Mann Cup champion and former Peterborough Laker Tracey Kelusky has been named as a 2023 Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee.

Photo courtesy of the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

Kelusky was one of five inductees for this year’s Hall of Fame. He joins Steve Dietrich, Bob Watson, William (Bill) Hutton and Larry Loyd as this year’s inductees.

The former Laker was a top-three scorer during his Junior A carer from 1994-1996. He was awarded the Ontario Lacrosse Association’s Junior ‘A’ League’s Top Defensive Player in 1996.

He won four Mann Cup Champions with the Lakers in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2012.

He was drafted first overall in the National Lacrosse League in 2000 to the now-defunct Columbus Landsharks (who became the Arizona Sting in 2004 and disbanded in 2008). He was named Rookie of the Year and a Second-Team All-Star in 2001, a First-Team All-Star in 2002-2004 and named the MVP in 2003. He won the NLL Champions Cup with the Calgary Roughnecks in 2004 and 2009.

Kelusky is no stranger to having his name immortalized as he was inducted into the NLL’s Hall of Fame in 2016.

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Peterborough Lakers One Win Away From Series Sweep With 16-7 Rout Over Brooklin L.C.

The Peterborough Lakers are one game away from sweeping the Brooklin L.C. after convincingly winning 16-7 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Sunday night.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers

The Lakers went on a huge run early in the game, scoring the first five goals of the period including a power play score from Holden Cattoni for Peterborough to go up 5-0.

Brooklin finally got themselves on the board, taking advantage of Lakers penalties and scoring two on the man advantage to cut into the lead for a 5-2 score at the end of the first.

Penalty woes continued to hit Peterborough but Matt Gilray turned it into a positive for the Lakers as he opened the scoring shorthanded to make it 6-2. The Lakers continued their offensive prowess with an eight-goal period while only relinquishing four to make it 13-6 at the end of the second.

Luke Pilcher tried to get the comeback going for Brooklin scoring on the power play to open the period. Peterborough kept going as Gilray scored shorthanded to cap off his first hat trick of the season as part of a three-goal run. The Lakers won 16-7 and have a three-game stranglehold on the series over Brooklin.

Landon Kells made 44 saves to get the win for Peterborough.

The Lakers can close out the series on Tuesday as they travel back to Whitby for Game Four against Brooklin.

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Brings Back Fore the Kids Golf Tournament For Sept. 14

The Fore the Kids Golf Tournament is making its return on Sept. 14, at Bellmere Winds Golf Course in Keene, announced by The Rotary Club of Peterborough.

Tournament proceeds are going towards the Five Counties Children’s Centre.

“We're excited to work with Linwood Homes again this year on the Fore the Kids Golf Tournament to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and youth in need within our communities,” said Wayne Harding, tournament Chair and former Rotary president. “Five Counties Children's Centre holds a special place in our hearts and this golf tournament serves as a beacon of hope, uniting individuals and businesses in a spirit of giving and camaraderie.”

All golfers are invited to register for $150 per person with a shotgun start of 1 p.m. The fee includes a round of golf, a cart, lunch and the chance to win hole prizes. Prizes include exclusive golf lessons, lake toys and a chance at driving home in a brand-new car from Jack McGee Chevrolet-Cadillac!

The tournament also features a raffle to win items such as a Plauski Square Stern canoe and paddles. Tickets are $10 apiece or three for $20.

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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.

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Former Peterborough Petes Captain Shawn Spearing Commits to StFX X-Men

Former Peterborough Petes captain Shawn Spearing is headed to the east coast as he is joining the StFX X-men in Antigonish, N.S., announced on Thursday afternoon.

Spearing suffered a jaw injury in early may from a puck during the OHL Playoffs. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

The recent OHL champion will join the roster for the upcoming 2023-24 season.

“We are very pleased to add Shawn to our program," said Brad Peddle, X-Men head coach. "He is a very reliable D with great size and high compete level who plays the game with an edge. His leadership and character are highly regarded from his five years in Peterborough and was an integral part and captain of an OHL championship and Memorial Cup team this past season.”

Spearing spent the past five years with the Petes, with the last two seasons as team captain. In 156 career games, had 18 points and also played in 31 playoff games with five points. Spearing had a +19 rating last season and helped his team win the OHL Championship and be a Memorial Cup participant.

"Shawn will join two other incoming captains, Charlie Callaghan and Raegan Wiles and really help solidify our defence for the next few years and we look forward to seeing him on campus very soon,” said Peddle.

“I am super excited to get things going with StFX," said Spearing. “I have heard nothing but great things about the school and the hockey program.”

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Dean Porter Becomes New President of Peterborough Lakers Alumni

Former Junior and Senior Laker Dean Porter has been appointed the new President of the Peterborough Lakers Alumni announced on their Facebook on Wednesday.

Porter is the owner of Mattress Outlet and More. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Lakers Alumni.

“I look forward to this role in honouring the past, present, and future generations within the Lakers family,” said Porter. “I am eager to continue being part of this organization and seeing what more we can achieve together.”

The former Laker goaltender takes over Jamie Batley who served as the club’s president for several years.

”We would like to thank Jamie Batley for his years of service to the board,” stated the Peterborough Lakers Alumni in a Facebook post. “Jamie will continue to support the alumni in other ways which we look forward to.”

“Thank you to Jamie Batley for all his dedication and hard work over the years,” added Porter. “Also a thank you to Bruce Ogilvie for his everlasting positive impact.”

With Porter taking over as president, roles have been shuffled within the organization. Pete Dalliday becomes vice president, Howie Stevenson remains as chairperson of fundraising, Sandra Ansell as treasurer and Liz Clancy as Webmaster. The board is adding three new members next week according to their Facebook post.

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Peterborough's Porter Martone Helps Canada With Two-Point Game To Rout Slovakia, 14-4; Canada Defeats Switzerland 5-0 in Final Preliminary Game

Porter Martone get two points to help Team Canada rebound from their opening game loss with a 14-4 rout of Slovakia at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup at the Zimny stadion Trencin in Trencin, Slovakia on Tuesday.

Canada continued their momentum beating Switzerland 5-0 to finish their preliminary games before the playoffs on Wednesday morning.

Porter Martone, Assistant captain (left); Berkly Catton, captain (middle) and Sam Dickinson, assistant captain (right) for Team Canada in this year’s Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. Photo courtesy of Hockey Canada.

After a two-goal period and shutting down the Slovaks in the first period, Canada played like a team possessed, scoring six goals in the period to their opponent’s three. Martone got the secondary assist to Canada’s fourth goal of the period, scored by Cayden Lindstrongand the primary helped to Henry Mews.

Canada continued their offensive juggernaut with another six goals to finish the game with 14 goals to Slovakia’s 4. Martone put the cherry on top, scoring the final goal of the game with 21 seconds left in regulation.

Martone did not register a point in Canada’s 5-0 shutout over Switzerland on Wednesday morning. That gives Canada a 2-1 record to finish the preliminaries.

Playoff brackets have not been established at the publication of this article. Canada is in Group B with Switzerland, Finland and Slovakia.

Switzerland shares a 2-1 record with Canada but lost to each other in the head-to-head matchup. Finland is 1-1 and plays Slovakia at 1 p.m. The former has the head-to-head matchup win over Canada. Slovakia has already been eliminated from the playoffs with a winless 0-2 record.

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Peterborough Roller Derby Home Finale 'sPARDacus' Double-Header Set For Aug. 12

Peterborough Area Roller Derby (PARD) is rounding out their final home game of the season with their double-header event ‘sPARDacus!,’ set for Aug. 12 at the Douro Arena, announced on Tuesday.

File photo.

PARD is taking on the South Simcoe Roller Rebels with the second game of the double-header featuring the Durham Region Roller Derby vs. Nipissing Roller Derby. 

Doors open at 3:30 p.m. with the first game starting at 4 p.m. with the second game at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance by sending an e-transfer to ptboareard@gmail.com or $15 at the door. Kids under 12 are free and is a family-friendly event.

PARD is seeking volunteers, and officials (skating or non-skating) and has space available for vendors.

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Peterborough's Porter Martone and Team Canada Off to Rough Start at Hlinka-Gretzky Cup

Porter Martone and Team Canada are not having the start they envisioned as they lost 9-6 to Finland at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup at the Zimny stadion Trencin in Trencin, Slovakia on Monday afternoon.

Porter Martone, Assistant captain (left); Berkly Catton, captain (middle) and Sam Dickinson, assistant captain (right) for Team Canada in this year’s Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. Photo courtesy of Hockey Canada.

Canada looked strong, scoring the first three of four goals in the first period. Finland scored with three minutes left to make it a one-goal game to make it 3-2 going into the second.

Finland surged with three straight goals to open the middle frame to have a 5-3 lead over Canada. Martone got himself involved in the score sheet, getting the secondary assist on a Berkly Catton power play goal. It was Canada’s only score of the frame going into the third, being down 5-4.

Canada seemingly got themselves back on track, scoring first in the third period but went downhill fast. Final scored four goals in less than four minutes to run away with the game. Canada scored a garbage-time goal but lost 9-6 in their opening game.

Canada will have to bounce back against Slovakia on Tuesday afternoon for their second preliminary game of the tournament. Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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Photos: 'Williams Weekend' Memorial Golf Tournament Pays Tribute To Five-Year Old Boy Who Passed Away Last Year In Accident

There were 155 golfers who paid respects in a memorial golf tournament for five-year-old William Rock Gardner at the Bellmere Winds Golf Resort in Keene who passed away in an accident last year.

Elizabeth, Aurora and Matthew Gardner on the putting green of Bellmere Winds Golf Resort with the memorial poster of William in his memorial tournament. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

William passed away on Villiers Line just outside of the resort due to a golf cart malfunction. His parents and their friends sustained injuries while his sister Aurora was unharmed. The parents were admitted to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) following the accident and once they were released, visited William at Sick Kids Hospital. They opted to let him go due to the severe brain damage he suffered.

Despite heavy rain that started in the morning until mid-afternoon, golfers braved the weather to show their support for William.

“We're really grateful for all the support despite all the rain,” said Elizabeth Gardner, William’s mother. “Golfers continued to come in and they're playing through while smiling and laughing.”

Last year, a silent auction was held where the proceeds went toward the family. Saturday’s golf tournament had a raffle and auction in support of Sick Kids Hospital (where William passed away) and PRHC. Prizes such as Toronto Zoo tickets, hockey jerseys, a children’s wagon bundle and a golf and dinner getaway were some big-ticket items auctioned off.

Despite being overwhelmed with emotion, the family expressed their gratitude to all the supporters and hosts of William’s memory prior to the raffle draws.

“Despite everything, despite the sadness, we're so grateful for everyone who supports our family and can remember our funny, little sweet boy,” said Elizabeth.

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