A rare Friday morning game saw the Nipissing Lakers women’s hockey team make it three wins in a row, as well as earning their first win on home ice this season.
The Lakers scored a goal in the second and third periods, erasing a 1-0 deficit to pick up a 2-1 win over the visiting Queens Gaels in a school day game, which saw over 600 local students in attendance.
A slow start put the Lakers behind the eight-ball in the opening period as Queens controlled the pace and had the better of the chances.
The Gaels capitalized on one of their nine shots and took a 1-0 lead late in the period, with just 10 seconds remaining on the clock.
Just over five minutes into the second period, Marilyn Fortin made a slick move to get around the Gaels goalie and slid in the puck into an empty net to tie the game.
The teams headed to the second intermission tied 1-1.
In the third, the Lakers continued to pressure the Gaels and fired everything toward the net.
They were finally rewarded with a goal when Brianna Gaffney shoveled home a rebound with just under seven minutes left in the game.
The goal stood up as the winner thanks to solid defending and good goaltending down the stretch.
Zosia Davis and Melissa Tolton earned helpers on Gaffney’s winner.
Danika Ranger made some key saves throughout the game and finished with 19 saves, while the Lakers fired 28 shots at the Gaels net.
Nipissing is now is 7-3 on the season and will look for their fourth straight victory Saturday when they host the UOIT Ridgebacks.
Game time is set for 7:30 pm at Memorial Gardens.
