It was truly a year to remember for the Nipissing Lakers women’s hockey team.
The team was once again nationally ranked and stayed in the top 10 for most of the season, they finished second in their division and third overall in the OUA and not only advanced to the post-season, but all the way to the league finals.
The Lakers knocked off the country’s top team, Toronto, in the semi-finals, booking their ticket to USports Nationals, as well as hosting the OUA Finals.
Unfortunately, in the finals, the Lakers came up short, losing to Brock.
Team success leads to individual success and that couldn’t be more true for the Lakers, as they have four members of their program honoured by the OUA for an impressive 2021-22 campaign.
Maria Dominico, Madison Laberge, Brianna Gaffney and Katie Chomiak all earned all-star nods this year.
Dominico, a North Bay product was named a First Team All-Star along with being named East Division Forward of the Year.
She led the team and league in points with 18, led the team in goals with 10 and added two game-winning goals in the process.
The Ice Boltz alum, who was the USport rookie of the year in 2018, had multi-point efforts in half of her games played this season, including a hat trick against York on Nov. 12.
On top of leading the league in points, she ranked, second in goals scored and sixth in assists.
Dominico continues to add to her impressive resume with more hardware.
Madison Laberge was also a First Team All-Star
Laberge was a force on the blueline for the Lakers, posting 8 points and playing steady defence, as well.
Logging big minutes, the Val Therese, Ontario product had four goals and four assists, including a game-winner during a very strong season for the Lakers.
On Feb. 12, Laberge posted a pair of assists against the Queen’s Gaels and she capped off the season in style.
The veteran scored a natural hat-trick in the regular season finale, as the Lakers erased a two goal deficit and defeated Toronto in overtime thanks to her efforts.
Forward Brianna Gaffney was named a Second Team All-Star.
In her final season, Gaffney was an absolute force offensively for the Lakers, all while playing a big leadership role.
She posted eight goals and eight assists, putting her second in goals and tied for second on the team in helpers.
The Erinsville, ON native started the season with four consecutive multi-point games and finished with five overall.
The veteran forward had an eight-game point streak to start the year and only went three games without finding her way to the scoresheet.
Meantime forward Katie Chomiak was named to the All-Rookie Team
The newcomer had a solid season, showcasing her speed throughout the year.
She finished with 2 goals and 5 assists, good for 7 points in 14 games and had a multi-point effort against York in February, helping the Lakers to a big win.
The Sudbury product also picked up points in back-to-back games at home against Queen’s in early February.
Her ability to play up and down the lineup provided the Lakers with important depth during the season.
The Lakers are back on the ice Thursday night as they begin Nationals with a date with the UBC Thunderbirds at the event taking place in PEI.