Lakers hockey earn weekend split

The Nipissing Lakers men’s hockey team went one and one on the weekend, rebounding after a tough loss to the Western Mustangs, with a win against the Queen’s Gaels.On Friday night at Memorial Gardens, the Lakers started strong against Western, playing what head coach Mike McParland called the best period of hockey the team has played all year.
Unfortunately, the Lakers weren’t able to sustain that level, and fell to the Mustangs 5-1, despite some terrific goaltending by Kirk Rafuse and some quality scoring chances.
Western’s goalie stood on his head and closed the door, with a dominating 37 save performance.
Matt Paton potted the lone Lakers goal.
With no time to commiserate over the loss, the Lakers were back in action on Saturday, facing off against the Queen’s Gaels in Kingston.
The Lakers started slow, going down 2-0, before they roared to life in the second period to tie the game up on goals by Connor O’Donnell and Lucas McKinley.
After a scoreless third period, the Lakers’s McKinley bulged the twine in overtime to seal the victory with his second goal of the game.
The win puts the Lakers record at 4-5-0, tied for sixth spot in the OUA East.
They’ll be looking to improve on that record this weekend with games against the Ryerson Rams at Memorial Gardens on Friday night and the York Lions on Saturday.