Another Lakers Overtime Comeback Sends Them To The Finals

Gary Groob

Gary Groob has been involved with Lacrosse for the majority of his life, whether playing, coaching, or covering the sport for the media. An avid fan, with a real drive about helping to "grow the game", Gary became part of podcasts about the game in 2010. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob was given an opportunity to write about lacrosse, and the rest as they say, is history. Through many miles (flying and driving) Gary has made inroads with the National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse, Ontario Series Lacrosse, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, CUFLA, as well as the Arena Lacrosse League, covering the leagues, their teams, and players, working for, and in concert with all of them. In the year 2019, Mr. Groob was made the media person for the Arena Lacrosse League, voted onto the board of directors of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club, as well as being made administrator of the Lacrosse page "Global Lacrosse" with a membership of 14,000+ members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022 with a membership of 19,000+. Gary also has been the media person for Ontario Series Lacrosse (Senior B) since 2023. Mr. Groob also covers the Green Gaels for their excursions to Prague at the Ales Hrebesky tournament since 2022. In 2024, when Major Series Lacrosse was in need of a media person, Gary stepped in as their interim media person. His tasks were running their social media, as well as their website until a full time person was found to fill the role. In 2025 Gary was voted onto the Board of Directors for Ontario Series Lacrosse. Mr. Groob hosts a weekly lacrosse interview show formerly on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, now on StreamPunkEnt.com, Youtube, as well as Spotify. Groob also hosts a lacrosse talk show and podcast for All Lacrosse All The Time seen live Sunday nights at 8pm (ET), and archived on the All Lacrosse All The Time YouTube page, as well as Spotify. Gary also wrote a weekly lacrosse editorial column for La Portada Canada News both in print and online for three years from 2021-2024. In 2025, Mr. Groob joined the ownership ranks, becoming a minority owner of StreamPunk Entertainment, ensuring Lacrosse will always have voice in media. Mr. Groob's other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers Instagram page.

The Brooklin Lacrosse Club (3-4) faced the Peterborough Lakers (4-3) in the seventh and deciding semi-final game in Major Series Lacrosse playoff action Thursday night at the Memorial Centre in Peterborough, Ontario.

The goaltending match-up had Zach Higgins in net for Brooklin facing Nick Rose in net for the Lakers.

The Lakers got rolling early in this game jumping out to a 2-0 lead. However, once Brooklin got on track, they were able to take control of the second half of the period. The game was tied 2-2 heading to period two.

A much rougher second period yielded no goals until the 16:29 mark where Connor Kearnan finally solved Nick Rose from in close. Brooklin then added two more tallies in the final three minutes for a 5-2 lead at the break.

The third again saw the Lakers with their backs against the wall, and once again we had an exciting and wacky period. It looked like Brooklin was taking charge going up 7-3, but four unanswered goals sent this game to overtime once again.

Of note, Peterborough had Zach Higgins’ pads measured, and were deemed illegal. The major penalty assessed aided in the tying goal, and kept the Lakers on the power-play for 3:45 into overtime.

After over seven minutes of end to end action, Mike Robinson ended the game with a low to low outside laser to win the game and the series for Peterborough. The Lakers come away with an 8-7 victory.

To The Game:

Peterborough got on the board first when Braedon Saris buried a Holden Cattoni pass at 6:37, followed by Justin Sykes finishing a Mike Robinson pass with a quick stick at 8:23.

Brooklin got on the board when Tanner Cook beat Nick Rose with a swim move from in close off a Sean Westley pass at 12:42, followed by a quick stick from Connor Kearnan coming out of the corner off a Taggert Clark feed at 16:01 on the power-play to tie the game.

After one period, Peterborough 2 Brooklin 2.

Second Period:

Connor Kearnan gave Brooklin their first lead of the night with a strong shot from in close off a Jacob Hickey pass at 16:29, followed by Sean Westley off a Holden Garlent pass in transition 0:27 seconds later. Jacob Hickey then scored on a give and go with Connor Kearnan shorthanded at 19:44 for a three goal cushion.

After two periods, Brooklin 5 Peterborough 2.

Third Period:

Once again with their backs against the wall, Peterborough got on the board quickly when Taite Cattoni scored from in close off a Holden Cattoni pass at 0:41 seconds.

Luke Keenan got it back for Brooklin in transition beating Nick Rose over his right shoulder off a Nick Chaykowsky pass at 5:22, followed by Jacob Hickey going coast to coast scoring to the shortside at 8:19.

Mike Robinson fired a sidearm laser from the outside off a Braedon Saris pass at 11:54, followed by Holden Cattoni off a Robinson feed at 12:41. Colton Armstrong added another goal from in close at 16:28 to bring the Lakers within one.

With 1:15 remaining, the Peterborough requested a measurement of Zach Higgins pads. They were deemed to be illegal and Higgins was assessed a five minute major for illegal equipment.

On the ensuing power-play, Holden Cattoni ripped a howitzer from the outside at 19:03 to tie the game.

After regulation, Brooklin 7 Peterborough 7.

Overtime:

Drew Hutchison came in net for Peterborough in the dying moments of the third period, and remained in net for the Lakers in overtime.

After seven minutes of back and forth action in which both teams had opportunities to win, Mike Robinson ended the game and the series with a low to low blast unassisted at 7:04.

Final score, Peterborough 8 Brooklin 7.
Shots on goal favored the Lakers 59-48.