COLWOOD, B.C. – The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers pulled off the “3Pete” on Wednesday night, becoming the 2019 Mann Cup Champions after defeating the Victoria Shamrocks in five games. It was the Lakers’ third consecutive national championship win. They are the first team to earn such a feat since the 1994-96 Six Nations Chiefs.
The Lakers took game five by a 7-5 score.
“It’s something that you can’t describe,” said captain Robert Hope. “At a young age we got to watch great teams play and to be able to do it three years in a row is just truly amazing. To know what each guy is going through with bumps and bruises and broken this and broken that, I’m speechless. We’re going to celebrate tonight and we’re going to have a great time.”
The Shamrocks opened the scoring 50 seconds into the game but the Lakers scored goals 21 seconds apart to quickly take their first lead of the game. Victoria kept putting the pressure on and finished out the first with two more goals for a 3-2 lead.
The Lakers scored three straight to open the second. Graeme Hossack got one back for Victoria on a breakaway but Holden Cattoni wiped out any momentum for the home team with a goal on the run late in the period.
Chris Boushy and Thomas Hoggarth traded goals in the third period, with Hoggarth’s coming on a late power play opportunity.
Mike Poulin was named the Mike Kelley Award winner as the series’ MVP.
“What an honour,” said Poulin. “It could have gone to a lot of people, including Pete Dubenski on their side of the floor. But to be included in a long list of Mike Kelley Award winners, I’m extremely honoured.”
Stay tuned to the Lakers’ website and social media channels for more Mann Cup coverage in the coming days.
Scoring for the Lakers:
Shawn Evans (2-0)
Kyle Buchanan (1-4)
Thomas Hoggarth (1-0)
Cory Vitarelli (1-0)
Kiel Matisz (1-0)
Holden Cattoni (1-0)
Turner Evans (0-3)
Mark Matthews (0-2)
Jordan Stouros (0-1)
Chad Tutton (0-1)