After a tight contest that didn’t go their way, the Nipissing Lakers women’s hockey team was in a must-win situation.
Despite playing some of their best hockey, the Lakers fell short, falling 4-3 in double overtime, dropping the best-of-three series to the Warriors in two games.
The Lakers dropped Game 1 of their second round playoff series 2-0 on the road Wednesday in Waterloo.
In the first, the Warriors jumped out in front less than five minutes into the first, scoring off the rush to take the early lead on a Lyndsy Acheson tally.
Just past the midway point of the period, the Lakers tied things up on the power play.
A point shot by Allison Hayhurst was re-directed by Ashley Taciuk and found the back of the net.
Madison Desmarais earned the other helper on the tying goal.
With 4:05 left in the period, the Lakers took their first lead of the series thanks to a shot through traffic.
Tessa Kosec fired a shot to the back of the net after nice work down low by Maggie McKee and Taciuk, who both earned assists on the goal.
With the Lakers up a goal, the teams maintained their pace, but neither was able to find the back of the net.
The score remained 2-1 in favour of the Lakers after 40 minutes, with the shots favouring Waterloo, 21-20.
Waterloo tied things up early in the third thanks to a shorthanded goal 25 seconds into the period by Leah Herrfort.
The Warriors then took the lead with 12 minutes to go, scoring on the rush courtesy Nikki McDonald as they went ahead 3-2.
The Lakers refused to go away, fighting back and tying the game with five minutes remaining.
Madison Desmarais tapped home a loose puck to make it 3-3 late in the period.
The late Lakers tallied was enough to send the game to overtime, as Game 2 would be decided in extra time.
With the two teams so evenly matched, it took more than one overtime period to decide a winner.
The Lakers held a 35-30 advantage in shots, but the game continued on to the second extra frame.
At the 14:25 mark, the Lakers season came to an end as the Warriors Emma Thornton buried the winner to take the game and the series.
Lakers goalie Chantelle Sandquist made 29 saves, while the Lakers fired 41 at the Waterloo net.