Host Lakers down Brooklin in playoff opener

By Sam Laskaris

If they didn’t know it before members of the Brooklin Lacrosse Club now realize they can indeed hold their own against the Peterborough Lakers.

But now they have to prove they can do it for a full 60 minutes.

The Brooklin squad got off to a less-than-ideal start on Thursday and found itself trailing 6-2 against the host Lakers in their playoff opener staged at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Peterborough went on to win Game 1 of the best-of-seven Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) semi-final series 12-9.

“I think we started slow,” said Brooklin head coach Jason Crosbie. “They brought it to us in the first. We were a kind of a little star struck with the whole playoffs and settling in. I don’t think we settled in very well.”

Brooklin ended up outshooting the Lakers 53-42.

“We didn’t finish very well tonight,” Crosbie said. “Our offence struggled. And I think (Lakers’ goalie) Landon Kells played a good game. We helped him a little in that way too.”

The two squads will continue their series battle on Friday. Brooklin will host Game 2 at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby.

The opening faceoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.

“We can definitely be better in a lot of areas,” Crosbie added following Thursday’s series opener. “I think we’re going to keep pushing the pace, keep playing the game we think we need to play to win. And we’re going to come back with a good effort on Friday.”

Though Brooklin tried to get back into Thursday’s contest after its slow start, it was actually the Lakers who managed to extend their lead in the middle frame.

Peterborough led by five goals, 10-5, heading into the second intermission. Brooklin, however, outscored the Lakers 4-2 in the final 20 minutes.

“I’m super proud of them,” Crosbie said of his players. “They didn’t quit. They never quit. With the kids on this team, they never quit.”

Crosbie added he’s confident his squad will be ready and raring to go in Game 2.

“We’ll be back (Friday) with a good effort and hopefully a W,” he said.

Sean Westley and Connor Kearnan scored two each for Brooklin. Kearnan’s younger brother Brady, Jake Stevens, Liam Osborne, Luke Pilcher and Ben MacDonnell had the other Brooklin goals.

Meanwhile, the Six Nations Chiefs took a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven semi-final series against the host Cobourg Kodiaks on Thursday with a 7-5 victory.

That match was held at the Baltimore Recreation Centre.

The Chiefs will host Game 3 in that series on Sunday.