Big third period leads Lakers to victory over Varsity Blues
Despite having over a month in between games, the Nipissing Lakers women's hockey team picked up where they left off in 2015.
Despite having over a month in between games, the Nipissing Lakers women's hockey team picked up where they left off in 2015.
Thanks to a big third period – and three straight goals – the Lakers made it three wins in a row, as they slipped past the Toronto Varsity Blues by a final of 3-1 Friday night on home ice.
The Lakers scored three times in the final period and fired 11 shots at the Toronto net to pick up the comeback victory.
Toronto opened the scoring in the first period, as both teams shook off some rust from a bit of time off over the holidays.
The lone goal to beat Lakers goalie Jackie Rochefort came on a nice passing play by Toronto and would give them a lead they would hold until the early part of the final period.
After a scoreless second, Kaitlyn McManus roofed a shot to the blocker side of the Toronto goalie, Valencia Yordanov, for her first OUA goal.
The goal that tied it was assisted by Natalie Graham and Ava Keis, as the trio had a very strong game, getting in on the forecheck and causing problems for the Toronto defenders all night.
Just after the midway point of the third period, the Lakers would score what was the game-winner, as Carly Marchment and her line dug the puck out and forced it to the front of the net.
Marchment shoveled it towards the Toronto net and it found its way in to put Nipissing up 2-1.
The score would remain that way until the final minute when Kayla Carter lifted a high arcing shot from her own blueline that found the empty cage to secure the victory for the Lakers, who have now won three in a row and have eight wins overall.
Rochefort allowed just the one goal, making 17 saves, while the Lakers fired 24 shots at Yordanov.
The Lakers have jumped into third place in the OUA thanks to Friday's win
Nipissing (8-3-3) will look for another perfect weekend as they host the Ryerson Rams (1-9-1) Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.
Source: Nipissing Lakers
