(August 8, 2012)… It was a career night for Cory Vitarelli, as he struck for a playoff-best five goals and eight points in Peterborough’s 14-7 win over Brooklin Tuesday. The Rochester Knighthawks forward helped the Lakers take a 2-0 lead over the Redmen in the Major Series Lacrosse Semifinals.

Vitarelli now leads the playoffs with 12 goals and is tied with teammate John Tavares for the top spot with 23 points. Vitarelli has been a force for the Lakers in the seven-game series against the top-seeded Redmen, scoring eight goals and adding three assists in the two contests.

In Game Two, Vitarelli was instrumental in Peterborough’s 6-0 lead in the first period. He scored two goals and added one assist as the Lakers blitzed Brooklin in the series’ first game at the Memorial Centre. The Redmen, however, managed to score three goals in the 58 seconds to cut the lead in half before the end of the first.

To use a line from an old Herman’s Hermits, it was the “second verse, same as the first" for Vitarelli as he scored two more goals and added another assist in the second. The Lakers shrugged off Brooklin’s fourth straight goal to hammer the Redmen with five consecutive goals. After two periods, the Lakers led Brooklin 11-4.

Vitarelli ended his memorable night with a power-play goal in the third and an assist on the team’s final goal of the game at 17:19 by Tracey Kelusky. Game Three of the series is set for Thursday, August 9th at 8:00 p.m. in Brooklin.

Other Knighthawks playing the series include Peterborough’s Brad Self and Brooklin’s Scott Campbell.