A slow start didn’t end up hurting the Nipissing Lakers men’s hockey team, as they made it two wins in a row thanks to a comeback victory Friday night during Military Appreciation Night at Memorial Gardens.
The Lakers used a five goal second period to pick up a key 5-1 win over the visiting RMC Paladins and grab their fourth win of the season in the process.
It wasn’t a great start for the Lakers, who were dominated in the first period – out shot 12-3 and trailed 1-0.
But in the second, the Lakers took control and cruised to the win, despite some physical play and scrums towards the end of the game.
Trailing 1-0, the Lakers tied the game just over five minutes into the second period and less than 20 seconds later, took the lead.
Colin Campbell scored to tie the game and Guillaume Naud, with a slick backhand, gave Nipissing the lead.
Brock Morrison, Nathan Glass and Dylan Staples were all in on the first two Lakers goals.
From there, the Lakers would add three more.
Steven Deeg continued his hot play, scoring his third goal in two games and with two power play markers from Joel Herbert and Sam Gleason, the Lakers sealed the win.
Morrison and Campbell drew assists on Deeg’s goal, while rik Robichaud and Cody Gratton picked up helpers on Herbert’s.
That goal was a perfect redirect off a nice feed by Robichaud on the doorstep.
Gleason finished the scoring with his first OUA goal late in the period, with Campbell and Morrison each adding to their totals.
They both finished with three points on the night.
Domenic Graham earned the win, but was forced to leave with an apparent illness about midway through the game.
Jeremy Pominville closed things out, making 14 straight saves.
He also got a lot of help from the Lakers defenders, who blocked a tonne of shots throughout the game and especially late, protecting the lead.
Nipissing will close out the weekend against Carleton Saturday night at 7:15pm at Memorial Gardens.
While it wasn’t high scoring, the first place showdown between the Nipissing Lakers women’s hockey team and the Guelph Gryphons was exactly what you would have hoped for.
In a playoff-type atmosphere, the two top teams in the OUA went shot for shot, but in the end, a late goal by Jade Gauthier proved to be the difference as Nipissing made it five wins in a row and jumped into first place in the league.
After two tight checking periods with a total of 24 shots solved nothing, it came down to the third period and even then, it took until the last few minutes for the game to be decided.
The lone goal, off Callander native Gauthier’s stick, was a rocket upstairs, over the blocking arm of the Gryphons goalie with just 6:40 left in regulation.
Stacey Henshaw and Jetta Derenoski drew assists on the goal that came off the rush. One of many rushes that the Lakers had success with, even though they were unable to score for over two periods.
Nipissing dominated in shots and chances.
Guelphe’s only pressure came late in the game with the extra attacker, but the Lakers did a great job of collapsing in front of goalie Jackie Rochefort, who was perfect in net, and secured the win.
Rochefort finished with 16 saves, only a few of which were difficult, but she continued her outstanding play this season.
The Lakers have now won five in a row and will look to make it six and a perfect weekend when they host the Brock Badgers Saturday at 4:30pm.
Following that game, only one game remains on the schedule for Nipissing – a date with Laurentian on Nov. 26 at home.
