Lakers win close battle over Gryphons

Lakers forward Andrew Marcoux takes a shot on net in the second period. Photo by Mark Pare. Video by Kate Adams.

The Nipissing Lakers men’s hockey team continued their winning ways as they defeated the Guelph Gryphons 3-1 at Memorial Gardens Saturday night in exhibition play..

The line of Vern Cooper-Nick Esposto-Marcus Watson proved to be the difference early as the three came together on the score sheet for the opening goal of the game.

“I thought it was a pretty even game, I thought both goalies played pretty well and I think we saw some very very good individual efforts.” said Lakers head coach Mike McParland.

He continued and pointed out Jeff Leaist, saying “he was good last night (against UOIT) but he was very good today in Jason Gray’s absence.”

Dan Spence turned away 26 shots to nab his second win in the last two nights, while Gryphons goalie Cody St. Jacques stopped 29 shots in the loss.

As the season looms closer, McParland says most of the decisions on roster spots have been made but that tonight helped him a bit in regards to the open spots that are left on the squad.

“We looked at four or five guys that didn’t play (against UOIT) so we’ll sit down over the weekend and we’ll touch base with the kids when they come in on Monday,” he said,

“We’ll definitely have to get that roster down just to clean up the quality of practice. When you have 29, 28 guys at practice, it’s too many guys.”

This game also marked the return of North Bay native and Nick Huard to Memorial Gardens ice. Huard participated briefly in Lakers training camp last season before becoming a star for the MJHL’s Woodstock Slammers, helping them two league titles and an RBC Cup Finals appearance.

He says the adjustment from junior to the OUA has been great but admits there are some facets of his game that are still in progress.

“I feel I may be a bit slower with the puck or making decisions with the puck because everything happens so quick and time and space closes pretty quick but I think that will improve as training camp goes on and the preseason.”

The Lakers took it right to the Gryphons, out shooting them 10-5 in the opening frame and getting the opening and only goal of the period

It started out as some great puck movement along the end boards behind St. Jacques until the puck was sent out in front to Esposto in the slot. He left a ringing in the ears of the 1532 in attendance as he put it off the post and in the net at 5:22 to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead.

Both teams went back and forth for most of the second, with both goalies playing strong, but at 15:43, it was one shot too many for Spence as a rebound came out to Guelph’s D-man Dan Broussard, who made no mistake to tie the game.

The deadlock didn’t last long as only 22 seconds later, Sam Hopewell remained uncovered in front of the net after coming in on the rush and went top glove to take back the Lakers one goal lead.

A two goal lead came quickly as 1:09 seconds after Hopewell’s tally, a bouncing pass left the Gryphons’ defense flat footed and Leaist took advantage of the loose puck, putting it behind St. Jacques to round out the scoring.

The Lakers next game will be against the Ryerson Rams in preseason play on Friday, Sept. 21 at 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.