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The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers are now searching for answers after dropping their third straight game, falling 9-8 to the visiting Cobourg Kodiaks on Thursday night at the Memorial Centre.
With the loss, the Lakers’ record slips to 7-4. They’ve now won just two of their five home games this season, while the Kodiaks—who sit in fourth place—move within four points of Peterborough in the standings.
It marked just the third time Cobourg has ever beaten Peterborough, with all three victories coming on Lakers turf. The previous wins came in 2017 and 2019.
“It’s a tough time for us. Our best players were not our best players tonight. We need to stick to our roles,” said Lakers head coach Mike Hasen. “The guy are frustrated. They’re disappointed. We’re searching for answers within ourselves.”
Peterborough jumped out to a 2-0 lead midway through the first period before the Kodiaks responded with three late goals to carry a 3-2 lead into the intermission. Cobourg extended their lead to 4-2 in the second before Taite Cattoni’s second goal of the night broke a scoring drought of over 20 minutes.
Trent University graduate Curtis Romanchych gave Cobourg a 6-3 lead, but Thomas Hoggarth responded just 10 seconds later off a faceoff win by Jake Withers. The Lakers pulled within one again when Matt Gilray converted a shorthanded fast break on a long pass from Withers.
Cattoni tied the game 6-6 early in the third, scoring just 45 seconds in on the same shorthanded opportunity. Hoggarth then evened the score again at 7-7 just over five minutes into the period.
But the Kodiaks answered with two straight goals—Alex Marinier scoring from the right side and Jake Harrington netting the eventual game-winner on a shorthanded crease dive.
Cattoni capped off his four-goal night with a spectacular effort, picking up his own rebound and scoring from nearly behind the goal line, but the Lakers couldn’t find the equalizer.
“We have to look at ourselves in the mirror and come back focused and ready to… commit to each other, trust each other and play our best because there are no easy games in this league,” said Hasen. “We have to consistently take that next step. We took steps on Tuesday, and tonight there were good moments, but overall we took a step back.”
Drew Hutchison made 33 saves in the loss for Peterborough. Jackson Brown turned aside 44 shots for the Kodiaks.
The Lakers now have a full week off, which Hasen says is coming at the right time.
“The guys need to step away a little bit and take a personal account, and come back fresh and excited and ready to play.”
Off the floor, the Lakers held a Canada-themed jersey auction to benefit the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation. More than $4,000 was raised through both silent and live auctions, with Holden Cattoni’s game-worn jersey fetching a high bid of $700.
The Lakers are back at the Memorial Centre next Thursday, July 3, for Country Night. Fans are encouraged to dress in their best western wear. Tickets are available through the Grant Thornton Box Office.
Lakers scoring
Taite Cattoni (4-1)
Thomas Hoggarth (2-4)
Joe Resetarits (1-1)
Matt Gilray (1-0)
Jake Withers (0-2)
Mike Robinson (0-2)
Brad McCulley (0-1)
Dylan Hutchison (0-1)
Ben Trumble (0-1)
