Founded | 1968 |
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League | Major Series Lacrosse |
Based in | Peterborough, Ontario |
Arena | Peterborough Memorial Centre |
Colours | Blue, White & Red |
Owner(s) | John Wedlock |
President | Ted Higgins |
Head coach | Mike Hasen |
General Manager | Paul Day |
The Peterborough Lakers are Senior "A" box lacrosse team from Peterborough, Ontario. They play in the Major Series Lacrosse league where under the current format, they compete in 20 regular season games (10 at home) from May through July and playoffs beginning in August and ending with the Mann Cup in September. The Lakers play their home games at the 4,329-seat multipurpose Peterborough Memorial Centre.
Peterborough has won the Mann Cup 14 times in total, of which only 8 were while the team was using the name Lakers. As the Lakers, they won the Mann Cup in: 2012, 2010, 2007, 2004, 1984, 1982, 1973 and 1966.
The Lakers biggest rival are the Brampton Excelsiors. They have met in the MSL Finals every year Between the 2002 and 2011 seasons, often finishing 1st and 2nd overall in the regular season. Meeting each other so often in the playoffs, compounded by many of the players playing on rival teams in the National Lacrosse League, have created many intensely contested matches between the two teams. Despite players coming and going between the two franchises, the rivalry has lived on, if not on the floor, then most certainly in the stands.
A rivalry also exists with the Six Nations Chiefs, particularly after the 2011 emotional MSL semi-finals where tempers flared amongst fans and players alike.
After going through a period of low attendance during the 90's, the Lakers have enjoyed a renewed level of support from fans and the community at large. In recent years, the Lakers have become affectionately known as "The Lake Show'". Throughout the playoffs, local businesses and city busses display signs supporting the Peterborough Lakers.
During games, including away games, Lakers fans will chant in unison "Let's go Lakers" followed by 5 claps or individual fans may yell "Let's go you Lakers". In addition, fans have been known to heckle opposing players, particularly Brampton Excelsiors goaltender Anthony Cosmo and Brampton forward Josh Sanderson. Peterborough has gained notoriety from outside the local area, as Bob Chavez of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle referred to Lakers home games as "full and loud and wild...a great setting for lacrosse."