The Brooklin Redmen will look to fight off elimination Wednesday night when they host the Peterborough Lakers in Game 6 of their first round Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) playoff series.
Peterborough took a 3-2 lead in the series with 15-9 home win Monday night. Gavin Prout would open the scoring under two minutes into the game to give the Redmen an early lead. After Shawn Evans got the Lakers on the board, a pair of goals from Brad Self would give Peterborough a 3-1 advantage. Brooklin would respond before period’s end, eventually taking a 4-3 lead off a late powerplay goal from Kiel Matisz.
The Lakers would come out firing in the second frame. Mark Steenhuis tied the game just 48 seconds into the period, with John Grant Jr. adding a pair of markers to give the Lakers a 6-4 lead. Brooklin’s Mike Melnychnko broke the scoring drought for Brooklin, as the teams would exchange goals throughout the rest of the period and head into the final frame with Peterborough ahead 8-6.
Peterborough would use another excellent start in the third to pull away from Brooklin. Grant scored two goals within the first minute of the period, registering his fifth tally of the game shortly afterwards to extend the Lakers’ lead to 12-6. Shawn Williams scored his second of the game along with Melnychenko, however, the Redmen did not have enough to rally a comeback. Steenhuis would cement the game with two shorthanded goals in the last ten minutes of play before Matt Crough would finish off the scoring for the Lakers with his second of the game.
John Grant Jr. led Peterborough to victory with five goals and four assists for nine points. Brad Self had seven points, while Mark Steenhuis chipped in with a hat trick and an assist for four points.
Shawn Williams had two goals and two assists for four points in a losing effort. Mike Melnychenko had three points in the loss including two goals. The rookie leads the Redmen in playoff goals with seven.
Shawn Evans had five points to extend his playoff total to 22. Evans is tied with Brooklin’s Shawn Williams for the lead in MSL playoff scoring.
Face-off for Game 6 game is set for 8 p.m., with a potential Game 7 scheduled on Thursday, August 15 in Peterborough. The winner of the series will take on the Six Nations Chiefs in the MSL finals.
Check back with In Lacrosse We Trust for all your latest MSL updates.
