Source: Robb Fenton, Nipissing Sports Info / Photo credit Brian Doherty
NORTH BAY, Ont. - The Nipissing Lakers men’s hockey team picked up where they left off in 2014, earning their second straight win, despite the two games coming about a month apart.
The Lakers started and finished strong and had to erase a two-goal deficit, but walked out of Memorial Gardens with two points after a 4-3 victory over the visiting Queens Gaels Friday night.
After Brogan Bailey scored the lone goal of the first period on the power play to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes, the Gaels stormed back with three goals in the second period to take a 3-1 lead into the final stanza.
Two goals less than a minute apart and one near the end of the period had the Lakers in trouble, but they regained their early game form and came out flying in the third.
Erik Robichaud scored the Lakers second power play goal to cut the lead to one and just over three minutes later, Brock Morrison tied things up after a nice pass from Craig Campbell.
Matt Paton would score the game-winner after his initial shot was stopped, but the puck bounced up in the air and hit Paton, whose momentum knocked it into the net.
The Gaels protested, but the goal counted and would stand as the winner.
Lakers goalie Kirk Rafuse was busy and strong in the final period, stopping all 16 shots fired his way.
Bailey and Jim McDowell each ended the game with two points.
The Lakers are back in action Saturday night when they host the RMC Paladins at 7 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.
The game is Nipissing’s annual Canadian Forces Appreciation Night, where the team will wear camouflage jerseys.