Lakers women’s hockey team earn historic win

Led by Jade Gauthier’s two goals, the Nipissing Lakers women’s hockey team made history on Saturday afternoon.Gauthier scored the first ever goal for the Lakers women’s hockey team, and added the game winning goal about 10 minutes later, as the Lakers held on to earn the 3-2 victory over the visiting Brock Badgers.
Playing in their inaugural game, the Lakers came out flying, scoring just under four minutes into the game as Gauthier made a nice move and beat the Badgers goalie.
Carly Marchment added to the lead as the captain made it 2-0 before the midway point of the first period.
Gauthier added her second of the game at the 14 minute mark as the Lakers took a 3-0 lead to the dressing room.
The Badgers woke up in the second period, however, scoring early and dominating much of the play.
Jackie Rochefort was strong in net, making 25 saves in the game, including a few outstanding stops as Brock poured on the pressure.
The Lakers showed some impressive intestinal fortitude and held on for their first ever win.
The team would have only a few hours to bask in their historic victory, however, as a date with Guelph loomed large on Sunday afternoon.he team would have only a few hours to bask in their historic victory, however, as a date with Guelph loomed large on Sunday afternoon.
The team put together another nice effort, but fell just short against a strong Guelph team.
The excellent play of Lakers goaltender Sabrina Picard wasn’t quite enough, and the Lakers dropped a tight 2-1 decision.
Picard made 33 saves, including several of the spectacular variety, to keep her team in the game, but her counterpart at the other end was equally as solid.
Brooklyn Irwin scored the lone goal for the Lakers, with assists going to Jade Gauthier, who picked up her third point this weekend, and Molly Sipprell.
The game-winner came just four minutes into the third period after the teams finished the first and second periods deadlocked at 1-1.
The team will look to rebound and get back in the win column next weekend when they travel to Queen’s for their first road game of the year, Friday night.