Peterborough 9 Six Nations 6

LAKERS LEAP INTO FIRST PLACE

OHSWEKEN - 1982 Peterborough sweeps the lacrosse world - Mann and Minto, the Double! Should we be getting poised for another Peterborough Double? Lakerland is due. Plus they have two great teams to challenge all comers. Attention Brampton and Brooklin, the Senior Petes are for real. Even during an off night on the Reserve they gutted out a 9-6 victory over a good Six Nations squad. A six game winning streak and top spot in the Major League.

How have Peterborough concocted this remarkable transformation, at a time when most experts predicted a drastic fall from contention? Reasons abound and much of the credit must go to Doug Evans and his coaching staff. Also credit to President Teddy Higgins for bringing in some quality new players. Yes they lost Tracey Kellusky and John Grant. Kellusky was injured so much last season that he never had the impact he could have had. John Grant has been replaced by western star Chris Konopliff and Peterborough is now a better team because of the change. Another loss was Pat McCready, however the Lakers have a gang of terrific role players and they all remind me of the Junior Northmen dynasty. Then you throw in proven goaltenders Steve Dietrich and Derek Collins, plus Mat Giles who is as dependable as ever and Joe Hiltz, which gives you a serious contender. Hiltz, the last member of the Smurf Line still in action(remember Hiltz, Hiltz, Kylie and Batley?) is enjoying a great renaissance. He is a force offensively again, as well as the spiritual leader of this club.

Yet Saturday night was the Chiefs game to win and they let it get away. They had leads of 4-1 and 6-4 but finished weakly. The key downfall for Six Nations was the lack of production from their three stars. Cam Bomberry scored the lone goal between them, however he, Dallas Squire and Cory Bomberry did not get the job done tonight. Peterborough were fortunate to score in bunches, which kept them in the game. Then the Lakers played a perfect third period to steal the two points.

The home team won the opening period 3-1. The visitors were decidedly flat after a long trip. It was a clean period coming from two teams who only met 48 hours earlier. Still it was sloppy at times. Lack of composure threatened to sink the Lakers. Chief culprit was Jason Spolestra. He really went after referee Vito Cianfagna and got so under his skin that he earned a ten minute misconduct. Then Paul Parnell said the wrong thing at the wrong time and got tossed from the game. Joe Hiltz was close by and a quick talk with Spolestra finally shut up the big guy. Shots favoured Peterborough 12-11.

The Chiefs continued to cruise along into the second period. They were up 4-1 and looking in complete control when a one minute letdown cost them dearly. Chris Konopliff and Joe Teatro teamed up as the vistors sprang to life and tied things 4-4. Tony Henderson answered, giving Six Nations a edge of 5-4. The session concluded with Dallas Squire taking a shot on goal clearly after the buzzer had sounded. That nearly touched off a brawl. Especially when Spolestra leapt out of the penalty box and ran to the crowd of players. Referee Grant Spies ordered him back to the box and he retreated. Next Cianfagna threw Spolestra out for leaving the box early. Trouble was the period had concluded and the Peterborough player was within his rights to leave, even if his intent was mischievous. Thus the third period began with Spolestra back in his now usual seat next to the timekeeper. Shots in the frame favoured the Lakers 17-15.

Henderson continued his great game with a shorthanded marker early in the third. That was Six Nations last hurrah. Steve Dietrich shut the door with a superb 20 minutes of goaltending. At the other end, Peterborough came on strong and soon broke Pat O'Toole's spirit. A pretty tic-tac-toe power play goal started the revival. Hiltz fed Teatro at the crease and he whipped a pass up top to Konopliff who then bulged the twine. Immediately after, new addition Blair Ferguson was set up by Matt McLean and tied it. The winner came from Josh Black just past the 5 minute mark. Two goals capped the comeback both, I thought, from Mat Giles stick. On the first they clearly mistook #27 for #7 and gave the goal to Doug Hill. The last score was credited to Kelsey Orth. The Chiefs actually outshot Peterborough in the final session 15-14.

For the referees, Grant Spies was hardly ever noticed - near perfect performance. Vito Cianfagna had his moments with Jason Spolestra but was fine the rest of the time. As for the Lakers' #44, he settled down the final 15 minutes and played some very good defensive lacrosse.

To conclude, I'm pleased to announce a new convert to Hewitts. Pool regular Mony went Black Raspberry and enjoyed a yummy shake.