For the first time in ten years, the Major Series Lacrosse final did not feature the Peterborough Lakers and the Brampton Excelsiors. In fact, when the opening whistle sounded on the MSL final series on Friday night, it marked the first time since 1995 the Excelsiors weren’t present. The Lakers looked across the floor to, this time, find the Six Nations Chiefs. If game one is any indication, MSL fans are in for a treat throughout this series.
On home floor the Chiefs came out firing. Craig Point and Roger Vyse opened the scoring for Six Nations early in the period. If not for a number of key saves by Tyler Carlson as time progressed, the hometown squad would’ve put away a few more. Both starters – Carlson for Peterborough and Mike Poulin for Six Nations – were sharp through the opening twenty minutes as the two early markers were all that would count and the Chiefs would have a 2-0 lead after one.
Peterborough opened the second with a goal from Tracey Kelusky. Once again, the goal came off a big save from Carlson who went post-to-post to rob Rhys Duch on a quick stick play. Kedoh Hill answered Kelusky’s marker, however, and restored the two goal cushion. The two goal lead was shortly erased as Peterborough scored two quick goals. John Grant Jr had the second to tie the game at threes. As things started to heat up with a few scrums behind the play, and ensuing offsetting minors, Casey Biernes returned the lead to the Chiefs. Cory Vitarelli would tie the game again, this time on the powerplay before Jamie Lincoln gave Peterborough their first lead of the game. Rob Marshall once again tied the game at five, but Mark Steenhuis capped a wild period with a goal on which he appeared to be in the crease, but the referee disagreed. The Lakers took a 6-5 lead to the rooms.
The third period picked up where the second left off in terms of physical play as at least two post whistle scrums broke out including Billy Dee Smith and Scott Evans jawing at each other as they went to their respective benches. A scrum a short while later resulted in off setting minors. Six Nations has thrived on physical play all season long and this night was no exception as they were able to not only tie the game, but take a 7-6 lead early on as well. Peterborough would not only tie, but rattle off three more before time expired thanks to John Tavares, Scott Self, Steenhuis for a second time, and John Grant Jr’s hat trick goal. When the horn sounded, the Peterborough Lakers boarded the bus for home with a 10-7 win, and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Although Poulin got the start, he was replaced momentarily in the second period for Brandon Miller. Although the break was less than a minute, Poulin re-entered the game energized and finished strong. On this night, however, the Peterborough Lakers were simply too much. While Six Nations began to get frustrated, they continuously tried to force Peterborough to play a more physical game. While they are capable with guys like Shawn or Scott Evans on the bench, the Lakers were extremely disciplined and stuck to their game. If they can continue to do so, it could be a long series (or a short on, depending on perspective) for the Chiefs.
Game two of the series goes Sunday night in Peterborough.
