Lakers down Redmen to move to 3-0 on the season

Evan Kirk was lights out for the Lakers, allowing just 3 goals on 51 shots.
(Photo: Tim Prothero)

The Peterborough Lakers have been garnering attention with their offensive prowess early in the MSL season, but Wednesday night they put on a defensive clinic in an 8-3 win over the Brooklin Redmen. The star of the show was goalie Evan Kirk, who made 48 saves and generally looked almost unbeatable between the pipes.

Mark Steenhuis had a hat trick and Shawn Evans had 2 goals and 4 assists as the Lakers improved to 3-0. Kyle Whitlow led the Redmen; he was involved in every Brooklin tally with 2 goals and an assist.

The first period was low-scoring for both clubs as only Whitlow at 1:18 and Evans on a power play at 14:42 were able to find the back of the net.

Adam Jones, playing his first game of the season after missing last week with a throat infection, cut down the slot and tucked home a Curtis Dickson pass for a power play marker just 30 seconds into the second frame to put Peterborough on top. Scott Self broke away and put a shot through Mike Poulin's legs to extend the lead and Peterborough added a pair from Steenhuis to take a 5-1 lead. Whitlow's second of the game closed the gap a bit before the period ended.


Mike Triolo got the first goal of the third period for Brooklin, but the Lakers' right side closed out the scoring--Dickson, Steenhuis and Evans scored the last three goals.

Kirk was the first star of the game that was shown via live JVI Sports Network webcast, followed by Evans and Whitlow.

"Kirky saved our butts there on a few occasions," said Lakers head coach Mike Hasen. "The offence has played so well, you expect a little bit of a let down some time and tonight it was. But we grinded it out and the power play was really good tonight."

Defensively, Hasen had no complaints. Peterborough has only given up seven goals combined in their last two games. "We'll take that any time," Hasen said with a smile.

Outside the other dressing room, Whitlow said he's feeling comfortable with the step from the Barrie Lakeshores Jr A last year to the Redmen and he's just hoping the team will click soon. "It's pretty easy to fit in when you're playing with guys like Shawn Williams, Reilly O'Connor, guys that can feed you the ball," Whitlow said. "I think our offence is young. It's going to take some time but we're getting there, same with our defence. We're learning and getting going as the season goes. Hopefully we can turn it around before it's too late."

Peterborough is right back at it tonight, facing Oakville at home in one of two games on the schedule. Six Nations visits Brampton in the other.