Peterborough Merit Precision Jr. A Lakers Release First-Round Playoff Schedule

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The Peterborough Merit Precision Jr. A Lakers will face the second-ranked Toronto Beaches in the first round of the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (OJLL) playoffs in a best-of-five series announced on Wednesday.

The Jr. Lakers taking on the Lakeshares during the 2016 season. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Merit Precision Jr. A Lakers.

The first game begins on Thursday at 8 p.m. at the Ted Reeve Community Arena in Toronto. The Lakers finished the OJLL regular season in seventh place, with a 10-10 record.

Full Schedule:

  • Game 1 - Thur., July 14 - Ted Reeves Community Arena

  • Game 2 - Fri., July 15 - Ted Reeves Community Arena

  • Game 3 - Mon., July 18 - Peterborough Memorial Centre

  • Game 4 (if necessary) - Tue., July 19 - Peterborough Memorial Centre

  • Game 5 (if necessary) - Wed., July 20 - Ted Reeves Community Arena

Coach and current Century 21 Laker Robert Hope says he is not worried about his team's chances heading into the first round.

“I have full confidence in our team and the players in our room. We have to play the right way and do the little things that add up to wins in playoffs,” he said. “We need every player on board to make sure they do their job. Every team is good in playoffs moving forward. It’s all about our team and how we play.”

The Lakers won four of their last six games entering the playoffs with three players landing on the league's top 20 scoring list.

The league-leading Mimico Mountaineers and the third-ranked Whitby Warriors are the only two other squads in the 11-team league with the same honour.

Zach Thompson, who played in all 20 regular season games this summer, finished with 31 goals and 86 points. He finished sixth in league scoring and fourth in assists with 55.

DJ Clark missed five games this season for school commitments but still landed himself at 15th-best in league scoring with 28 goals and 37 assists (65 points) in 15 games played.

Owen Hiltz ranked 17th in points with 26 goals and 36 assists (62 pts) in 14 games played.

“Those three had a great regular season but that is behind us now. It’s all about what you are going to do in playoffs,” said Hope. “We need those players to be leaders and play their role to make the team successful.”

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