Peterborough Jr. C Lakers Cap Off Perfect Season With Series Sweep to Win Meredith Cup

The Peterborough Jr. C Lakers’ perfect season is complete as they defeated the Fergus Thistles 14-7 in Game Three to capture the Meredith Cup at the Healthy Planet Arena on Saturday night.

July 28 was Peterborough’s only loss against the Nepean Knights in 6-5 result in the semifinals. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Jr. C Lakers.

The team had a perfect 16-0 record in the regular season entering the playoffs. The team only had one postseason loss and ended on an overall 28-1 record.

According to a prior press release, a Peterborough junior lacrosse team has had an undefeated season in roughly 50 years.

Peterborough drew first blood in game one, taking a 9-6 win on the road at Centre Wellington Sports Complex on Wednesday night. Peterborough fought off a late rally from the Thistles to hang on for the win and lead the best-of-five series, 1-0.

The Lakers had the opportunity to win the Meredith Cup in Peterborough if they could win consecutive home games in back-to-back nights.

Peterborough had a seesaw battle with Fergus in Game Two which included several visiting Thistles fans who were almost just as loud as the Lakers crowd at the Healthy Planet Arena on Friday night.

The home team was able to clamp down defensively and deny Fergus any scoring while netting two goals to win Game Two, 13-9.

With a chance to sweep the series and win the Meredith Cup before the home Peterborough crowd, the Lakers did just that with a convincing 14-7 win at the Healthy Planet Arena on Saturday night.

Once the Lakers took the lead, they never lost it thanks to an eight-goal surge in the second period. Peterborough outscored Fergus in every period to maintain their lead and capped off their perfect season.

“We are deeply grateful for the incredible support and dedication our community has shown us this season. To our amazing sponsors, volunteers, staff, and crew, as well as our passionate fans and parents - thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your unwavering commitment and generous contributions have been the driving force behind our success,” according to a statement released by the team following their championship win.

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Schedule Released For MSL Finals Between Peterborough Lakers and Six Nations Chiefs

Major Series Lacrosse has released the official finals schedule between the Peterborough Lakers and Six Nations Chiefs with Game One beginning at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

This is the fourth consecutive season and the ninth time in the last 10 seasons that both teams will meet in the final.

The Chiefs had an undefeated regular season before sweeping the Cobourg Kodiaks in the semifinals. Despite the Lakers, finishing with a 7-5 regular season record, they swept Owen Sound and Brooklin in four to reach the MSL finals.

The winner will host the WLA champion in the Mann Cup. 

SCHEDULE

• Game 1: Tuesday, August 13 at 8:00 p.m. @ Iroquois Lacrosse Arena

• Game 2: Thursday, August 15 at 8:00 p.m. @ PMC

• Game 3: Tuesday, August 20 at 8:00 p.m. @ Iroquois Lacrosse Arena

• Game 4: Thursday, August 22 at 8:00 @ PMC

• *Game 5: Sunday, August 25 at 7:00 p.m. @ Iroquois Lacrosse Arena

• *Game 6: Tuesday, August 27 at 8 p.m. @ PMC

• *Game 7: Thursday, August 29 at 8:00 p.m. @ Iroquois Lacrosse Arena

*if necessary

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Rob Hellyer's Hat Trick Helps Lakers Sweep Brooklin L.C. to Advance to MSL Finals

The Peterborough Lakers are moving on to the Major Series Lacrosse finals against the Six Nations Chiefs as Rob Hellyer’s hat trick helped sweep Brooklin L.C. in a 13-9 win at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy the Peterborough Lakers.

Peterborough started the game with a three-goal run with scores from Joe Resetarits, Hellyer and Adam Thistlehwaite. Brooklin responded with a pair of scores including a power play goal to cut the deficit to one. Colton Armstrong, Thomas Hoggarth and Austin Hasen found the scoresheet with a goal each while Hellyer got his second of the game. Brooklin scored twice to make it a 7-5 game in a high-scoring first period.

In the second period, there were only five goals with both teams trading scores. Brooklin had three goals while Peterborough saw Colby Wood and Hasen score their town for a 9-8 score going into the third.

Peterborough had clamped down defensively in the final frame.

Hellyer kicked off the third period with a hat trick goal to give a two-goal lead for the Lakers. Taite Cattoni, who was back from injury, got his first score and third point of the night. Matt Gilray scored for the Lakers to give his team a four-goal cushion with 8:34 left to play.

Reilly O’Connor managed to score with 3:43 in regulation to try and give Brooklin a fighting chance but Joey Cupido had an unassisted goal just 72 seconds later to ice the game and give the Lakers the sweep over the visitors.

Lakers goaltender Doug Buchan started the game and saved 30 of 38 shots but was swapped out for Landon Kells stopped 17 of 18 shots to help Peterborough secure the win.

“They thought it was their year but it was great to four-bang them for the second straight year,” said Cattoni.

“There were a lot of guys that were out there grinding,” said Dylan Hutchinson, Lakers defender. “We had a young left side out there on offence and they were all out there. Colby, Nate and Adam were all doing a good job and then Taite was kind of the vocal guy, handling the ball a little more. What they were able to do was great for us and definitely helped the outcome.”

The finals are expected to begin on Tuesday in a rematch against the defending Mann Cup champion Six Nations Chiefs. Game two is likely at the Peterborough Memorial Centre; however, the league has not confirmed the dates.

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Four Exceptional Student-Athletes Graduates Receive Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Bursary

Four graduating student-athletes were recipients of the annual Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Bursary Award at a presentation ceremony at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Wednesday night.

(Left to right) Linda de Jeu, PDSHoF Second Vice Chair; Ireland Payne, TASS graduate; Ava Johnston, Adam Scott Graduate, Brynn Jenkins, Crestwood Graduate; Finn Hughes, Holy Cross Graduate and Tim Barrie, first vice chair. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Finn Hughes, Brynn Jenkins, Ava Johnston, and Ireland Payne were this year’s winners, taking home $2,000 apiece from the bursary. Each recipient was a graduating high school student that attending University in the fall.

This year’s winners will have their headshots commemorated in the Hall of Fame and their names etched into the history of the awards’ beneficiaries. The award has been given annually to four recipients since 1996 (with 2020 having six).

Hughes graduated from Holy Cross Secondary School, will attend Laurier University, study Business Administration and play rugby for the Golden Hawks.

He is an honours student with a 90 per cent average.

The Hurricane alumnus captained football, basketball, and rugby for Holy Cross. He was named senior athlete of the year and earned several MVP awards. He also served on the school’s student council.

In the community, he was a member of the U18 Team Canada rugby program, U19 Team Ontario rugby, Peterborough Pagans, Petes minor hockey and Otters football.

As a volunteer, Hugues was a link leader at Holy Cross, volunteered with special needs students, was an OFSAA lacrosse volunteer and gave back to minor hockey as a referee and scorer and timer.

“It's an honour,” explained Hughes. “I'd just like to thank the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame for thinking of us and getting us in here. It feels great.”

Jenkins graduated from Crestwood Secondary School this past summer with a 94 per cent average as an honours student. She is attending Queens University, studying Health Sciences and will play varsity rugby.

At Crestwood, she played rugby, basketball, volleyball, track and field and wrestling. She was captain of the rugby team and earned an OFSAA gold medal in wrestling. She competed at OFSAA in track and field for four years. She earned MVP honours in rugby and was given the Dysart award, one of the highest athletic honours at Crestwood.

Outside of school, Jenkins was a member of the Peterborough Pagans Rugby Club, played Kawartha lacrosse, soccer and has attended the Rugby Canada development academy.

Jenkins was an active volunteer. She worked with Kawartha Food Share, was a referee for junior rugby, coached mini rugby and advocated for black athletes on social media.

“It feels wonderful to be recognized for all of the hard work that I've put in and all of us,” said Jenkins.

Johnston is a graduate of Adam Scott Collegiate and is attending the University of Guelph. She will study Health Sciences and play rugby for the Gryphons.

The 96 per cent average honours student played high school rugby, volleyball, wrestling and ultimate frisbee. She was captain of several teams, leading them to OFSAA gold medals in Ultimate and Kawartha and COSSA championships in Rugby and volleyball. She was Adam Scott’s senior female athlete of the year and earned many MVP awards.

Johnston was a member of the Ice Kats for hockey, part of the Peterborough Pagans Rugby Club and has been a member of the Ontario Rugby program.

Off the field, the Adam Scott Lion alumnus was a Sunday school volunteer and assisted with the Million Meals program. She was also an active volunteer and referee at the KPR elementary rugby and ultimate tournaments.

“It's just really awarding putting in a ton of hours into both sports and off the field,” explained Jenkins. “It's satisfying knowing that you're getting recognition for all of it and it's awesome for all of us.”

Payne graduated from Thomas A. Stewart and will attend the University of New Brunswick in the fall to study environmental management and play volleyball.

She played high school basketball, volleyball, badminton, tennis, soccer and track and field. Ireland earned multiple MVP awards in her sports while maintaining a 94 per cent average.

She was a member of Peterborough Thunder Volleyball, Soul Beach Volleyball and Peterborough Badminton Club.

Her volunteer work involves helping at Kawartha Food Share, Peterborough Humane Society and several KPR elementary sporting events.

“I'm very grateful that I got to be recognized and just very happy,” said Payne. “It makes me feel proud of myself and affects my self-esteem. It helps me feel more confident when you're recognized for high school accomplishments.”

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Peterborough Jr. C Lakers Hold Off Third-Period Surge From Fergus Thistles To Take Game One of the Meredith Cup In 9-6 Win

The Peterborough Jr. C Lakers draw first blood in the Meredith Cup finals, fighting off a late rally from the Fergus Thistles to take Game One in a 9-6 victory at the Centre Wellington Sports Complex on Wednesday night.

SCreenshot.

The Lakers opened the scoring just under five minutes into the game as Jeremiah Wade scored get break the ice. It took just over eight minutes for the next score Nick Fornier extended Peterborough’s lead to make it 2-0. Fergus got on the board under a minute later but Drew Calderwood got one right back for the Lakers to end the first in a 3-1 lead for Peterborough.

Only one player found the scoresheet in the second period but it was Wade who scored three consecutive goals to extend Peterborough’s lead to 6-1.

The Thistles attempted to mount a comeback, scoring the first four of five goals for a 7-5 game. Ryder Perry had the lone goal for Peterborough in nearly the first 15 minutes of the period. The Lakers were able to make one more push, getting the next two goals thanks to Liam Vollins and Reed Chamberlin with the latter scoring on the power play. Fergus scored with 68 seconds left but it was too little, too late and the Lakers hung on for 9-6 win.

The Lakers return home to the Healthy Planet Arena to play back-to-back games for Games Two and Three on Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m. If they win both home games in the best-of-five series, the Lakers can sweep the Thistles and win the Meridith Cup at home.

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Peterborough Petes Release Ticket Details For Port Hope Preseason Game Against Niagara IceDogs

The Peterborough Petes the Municipality of Port Hope and the Port Hope Panthers have released ticket details for the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) preseason game between the Petes and the Niagara IceDogs on Sept. 1 at the Jack Burger Sports Complex.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Tickets for the game range from $20 to $30 (plus applicable fees) and are available online. All tickets sold online are reserved seating and are available while supplies last. A limited number of standing-room tickets will be available at the door on gameday starting at 1 p.m. The game will also feature a 50/50 draw and other fundraising opportunities.

Peterborough’s full 2024 preseason schedule is as follows:

• Sept. 1 - Niagara @ Peterborough - 2:05 p.m. (Jack Burger Sports Complex - Port Hope)

• Sept. 6 - Peterborough @ Guelph - 7:07 p.m.

• Sept. 8 - Sudbury @ Peterborough - 3:05 p.m. (Asphodel Norwood Community Centre - Norwood)

• Sept. 20 - Peterborough @ Kingston - 7:00 p.m.

• Sept. 21 - Guelph @ Peterborough - 7:05 p.m. (Cavan Monaghan Community Centre - Millbrook)

Puck drop for the game is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.

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Peterborough Goaltender Passes Away From Fatal Crash In Ottawa

Peterborough-born goaltender Creed Jones has passed away after a fatal crash near the Highway 416/417 split in Ottawa on Friday night.

Photo courtesy of Gatineau Olympiques/Facebook.

The 24-year-old former U16 Peterborough Pete was one of two people killed that night according to Ontario Provincial Police.

“It is with great sadness that the Gatineau Olympiques organization has learned of the passing of one of our alumni, Creed Jones. Our thoughts are with his family and friends,” the Olypiques stated from an X post.

Creed’s other former teams, including the Peterborough Petes, paid their respects to the late goaltender on social media.

“The Peterborough Petes are saddened to learn about the passing of former minor Pete and Peterborough native Creed Jones. Our thoughts are with Creed’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

“The Wellington Dukes organization is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Duke Creed Jones. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.”

“The Saint John Sea Dogs are saddened to learn about the passing of former goaltender Creed Jones. Our thoughts are with Creed’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

Both drivers were seen travelling at high rates of speed before the collision as stated by the OPP. One rider was pronounced dead at the scene while the other was taken to the Ottawa Hospital’s Civic Campus before succumbing to their injuries.

The Olympiques said they will pay tribute to Jones in a game against one of his former teams, the Rimouski Océanic on Sept. 28 with details to follow.

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Peterborough Lakers Survive Late Rally From Brooklin L.C. To Take Game Three In 12-11 Overtime Win

The Peterborough Lakers had a scare from Brooklin L.C.’s late rally in the third period but survived in overtime and got the 12-11 win at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby on Saturday.

Photo courtesy of Anna Taylor and the Peterborough Lakers.

Owen Hiltz and the Lakers’s special teams was the story of the first period. Hiltz opened the scoring for the Lakers and had two goals on the man-advantage en route to a hat trick in the first 20 minutes of the game. Turner Evans had a short-handed goal while Thomas Hoggarth had a powerplay goal of his own to finish the period with a 5-3 lead.

The second frame was evenly matched as both teams were able to score twice. Turner Evans scored and Hiltz had his fourth of the night to keep a two-goal lead, making it 7-5 going into the third.

The final frame saw both teams trade goals in the first four scores. Evans got his second of the game while Rob Hellyer tacked on his first. Hoggarth got his second of the night and Austin Hasen scored an empty-net goal with 3:55 left in regulation to seemingly put the dagger in the game.

“Credit to our whole offense,” he said. “It’s been a committee from the beginning of the year to now. Any one of us can have a good night.”

Brooklin was not going down without a fight. With less than three minutes in regulation and in the span of 2:11, Brooklin rallied for four goals to tie the game. Connor Kearnan starting the rally, Sean Westley scored and Tanner Cook capped off a hat trick to tie the game at 11.

Hasen had a chance to score in the dying seconds but Brooklin goaltender Zach Higgins made the stop at the buzzer and got the game to overtime.

With 2:56 remaining in sudden death overtime, the Lakers’s power play capitalized. Hasen made the most of his second chance and scored to negate Brooklin’s comeback and help Peterborough take a commanding 3-0 series lead.

“It’s good to have a little bit of a break until Thursday,” said Hasen. “Everyone expects games to get tighter, rougher so it’s fun but we’ll have to take a couple days off to gather our bodies and get ready for Thursday because they’re coming out even hungrier.”

The Lakers can finish the series and sweep Brooklin with game four at the Peterborough on Thursday at 8 p.m.

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Final Peterborough Area Roller Derby Home Double-Header Hits Douro This Saturday

It’s the last chance to catch both Peterborough Area Roller Derby PARD teams in action on their home track as they take the track at the Douro Community Centre this Saturday.

Peterborough Area Roller Derby is an inclusive, co-ed, skater run, not-for-profit organization started in 2015 and is made up of skaters from across central Ontario who compete on both its regulation and WFTDA Charter. Photo courtesy of PARD.

PARD’s Charter team takes on visiting Salt City Roller Derby at 4 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., PARD’s Regulation will meet up with Ottawa Roller Derby’s Bytown Blackhearts. Doors open at 3:30 p.m and between games there will be opportunities for audience members to win prizes in the Chuck-A-Duck and the Pool Pony races.

Tickets to this all ages, family friendly event are $15 at the door, or $10 in advance by contacting the league or going online. Kids 12 and under are free. Merch tables and a meal from Mammoth Barbeque will be set up in the arena parking area. The event is licensed and cash only is accepted at the bar.

Our next intake of skaters — including absolute beginners to roller skating — will take place in late September with their Learn to Skate/Roller Derby 101 program.

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Former Peterborough Pete Eric Staal Signs One-Day Contract With Carolina Hurricanes With His #12 Jersey to Be Retired

Former Peterborough Pete Eric Staal has signed a one-day contract with the Carolina Hurricanes to retire with the team. His #12 jersey will also be retired at a future date during the 2024-25 NHL season.

Staal is the only player in franchise history to represent the Hurricanes/Whalers at four consecutive NHL All-Star Games (2007-09, 2011), earning All-Star MVP honors in 2008. Photo courtesy of the OHL.

Staal was selected in the first round, 13th overall by the Peterborough Petes in the 2000 OHL Priority Selection from the Thunder Bay Kings AAA program. The Thunder Bay native had 81 goals, 128 assists and 209 points in 185 regular season games in three seasons. He added 30 points in 20 playoff contests with Peterborough.

He was drafted second overall by the Hurricanes in the 2003 NHL Draft, winning a cup with the team in 2006 and lead the team in playoff points.

Staal has had 455 goals and 608 assists for 1,063 points in 1,365 career games over 18 NHL seasons. He has played for the Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres, Montréal Canadiens and Flordia Panthers during his NHL career.

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