The 2015 Mann Cup kicked into second gear with game number two featuring a much more spirited and old school feeling.  The Peterborough Lakers came out with a noticeably different offensive game plan from the starting whistle.  After setting up a familiar isolation utilizing Curtis Dickson’s ability to spin from checks, the Lakers set up a top side seal and Adam Jones scored the game’s first goal five hole on Aaron Bold just 32 seconds in.  The Lakers second shot of the game produced its second goal of the game coming from the exceptionally hot hand of Adam Jones who ripped a shot around Bold.  The Victoria Shamrocks tallied their first marker of the game when Matt Vinc decided to stay in his crease on a loose ball allowing Matt Yager to scoop up the ball and score to give the Shamrocks some life.  Karsen Leung finally found net following numerous opportunities in game number one scoring on a nifty transition chance. Cory Vitarelli scored giving the Lakers a 1 goal lead as he slipped into the middle to notch his first of the game, although the scorer was announced as Chad Culp.  Curtis Dickson finished out the first period scoring with a low to high missile from the outside.  The period closed out with a  sign of things to come when Tyler Haas took an off ball 4 minute Check from Behind infraction allowing the Lakers to take a 2 goal lead and a looming 4 minute power play to start the second period.  

The Shamrocks with a  breath of life scored just 38 seconds into the second period when Jesse King found net streaking off the bench on a fast break.  Mark Steenhuis restored the Lakers 2 goal lead with a power play marker ripping a high rising shot from the outside past Bold.  Once again the Shamrocks battled back following another clean face off win by Tyler Burton who was solid at the dot for the Shamrocks.  Leung continued his strong play feeding Greg Harnett  who made no mistake burying a short-handed marker behind Vinc.  Dickson unleashed another outside bomb and the Lakers silenced the typically loud home town crowd.  King notched his second of the game with a slick quick stick but it was to be the Lakers night as they scored 4 unanswered goals beginning with Scott Self’s shorthanded marker and then an even strength hat trick goal from Jones as well as Vitarelli and Steenhuis’s second goals of the game.  At the conclusion of the middle frame the Lakers built up a 9-5 lead.  

The Lakers began the third period as they finished the second with an even strength goal.  The Shamrocks weren’t quite ready to fold their tent as Daryl Veltman scored on a nice individual effort driving the alley to score an even strength goal moving the Shamrocks within 4.  The Teams exchanged even strength goals with Chad Culp scoring for the Lakers and Rhys Duch scoring for the Shamrocks.  Tension boiled over at 12:10 of the third period when Rory Smith was assessed a fighting major and game misconduct.  Shawn Evans received a spearing major while Turner Evans was shown the exit as he received a Third Man In Game Misconduct.  The rough stuff continued for the remainder of the game with the penalty boxes remaining full until the end of the game.  Dickson scored the next 2 goals of the game for the Lakers with his 3rd and 4th of the night while Brad Self concluded the games scoring showing a score of 14-7 on the clock at the game’s final horn. 

Curtis Dickson was presented the game MVP honours for the Peterborough Lakers while Karsen Leung was rewarded for his excellence as the MVP for the Victoria Shamrocks.  Dickson clearly came to play tonight as he exemplified his powerful one on one abilities that has made him one of the world’s most creative and prolific scoring talents. Matt Vinc finished the game with a save percentage of .833 on 42 shots while Aaron Bold finished with a save percentage of .676 on 37 shots.  Dickson lead all scorers on the night with 7 points including his 4 goals while Adam Jones marked 6 points with 3 goals.  Karsen Leung and Rhys Duch lead the Shamrocks with 3 points each on 1 goal respectively while Jesse King was the leading goal scorer for the Shamrocks notching 2.

Game 3 goes Monday September 7th at 7 pm in the Q following an off day allowing both Teams an opportunity to analyze what worked and what adjustments are required to tip the scale in their teams favour in a pivotal game three.