The Peterborough Lakers (6-3) captured their third win in a row Sunday, defeating the Brampton Excelsiors (2-6) by a score of 8-5. With the win, the Lakers move into first place in Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) standings.
Brampton was able to establish an early lead in the first period off of goals from Dustin Carvallo and Shane Scott, chasing Lakers goalie Tyler Carlson from the net just over six minutes into the game. The Excelsiors managed to hold Peterborough scoreless until the final minute of the first frame when Lakers rookie Matt Crough cut the deficit to one.
Peterborough continued momentum from Crough’s late tally, beginning the second period by scoring three unanswered goals. The Excels’ Joe Resatarits was finally able to put an end to the Lakers run, making the score 4-3 in favour of Peterborough heading into the final period.
Scott Evans extended the Lakers lead by scoring just twenty-five seconds into the third period. However, Brampton would not go away, as Scott and Resetarits both scored their second tallies of the night to tie the game at 5-5. Josh Gillam’s shorthanded goal little over eight minutes into the third period proved to be the eventual game winner for the Lakers, as Mark Steenhuis and Matt Crough provided insurance markers to secure the victory for Peterborough.
Leading the Lakers was Mark Steenhuis (2 g, 1 a) and Shawn Evans (1 g, 2 a), who each had three points in the win. Evans currently leads all MSL scorers with 14 goals and 41 assists for 55 points.
Shane Scott and Joe Resatarits each registered two goals for the Excels. Resetarits has been a steady contributor on a struggling Brampton squad. The Hamburg, N.Y. native is one of only four Excels to dress in all eight games this season and leads the team in scoring with 23 points.
Lakers’ goalie Kurtis Wagar turned aside 39 of 42 shots faced in the win. Anthony Cosmo of the Excelsiors made 42 saves in a losing effort.
Both teams will return to action Thursday, June 20 as Brampton will host the Six Nations Chiefs (5-1), while Peterborough will take on the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks (2-5) at home. Face-off for both contests is set for 8 p.m.
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