Lakers slip by Rams

Andrew Marcoux scoring the winning goal of the hockey game in the third period. Photo by Mark Pare.

Andrew Marcoux’s third period goal proved to be the difference as the Nipissing Lakers defeated the Ryerson Rams 3-2 in OUA preseason play Friday night at Memorial Gardens.

Ryerson brought a physical game to the ice that got heated at times during the game. The Rams did get the first goal of the game, a goal off a quick face off win, scored by Matt McCann at 5:29 of the opening period.

“I think Ryerson more than challenged us, they played a very good first period, they fore checked us hard.” said Lakers head coach Mike McParland, “They played very well and I think our guys got a little bit better each period.”

The Lakers would capitalize on the power play as Jeff Leaist converted a point shot with eyes that landed top corner, blocker side on Rams goalie Louie George to tie the game at 9:16.

“This was a good game for intensity,” said McParland, “At this point, because we have so many guys, there’s special teams. We haven’t done much work on the power play, even though we got two power play goals tonight, or the penalty kill. Those are areas we need to work on intensely over the next two weeks.”

The Lakers would take the lead off of a Vern Cooper rebound at 12:07 in the second.

Brett Cook would go down from a check to the head at the end of the second and didn’t play the third. McParland says that he’s okay but when Cook came to the bench afterwards feeling a bit dizzy, he wasn’t chancing it.

“When you get a hit to the head nowadays, we don’t take any chances,” he said, “(Cook)’s going to be a very very good player for us so we don’t want to take any chances.”

Marcoux’s difference maker happened at 7:52 of the third, tapping a rebound passed backup goalie Steve Gleeson on the power play to make it 3-1 Lakers.

Dan Spence got the start in goal for the third game in a row, but got the hook in the third period so the team could take a look at Kirk RaFuse. McParland is a big fan of how Spence has played thus far.

“Dan Spence is playing better this year than he did last year for sure. He lost that weight and definitely looks strong in the net.”

RaFuse did let one goal in, after making a spectacular pad save on a breakaway chance by Steve Taylor, the trailer behind Taylor was Michael Paolo, who tapped in the rebound passed the sprawled Lakers netminder at 14:47.

That is as close as the Rams would get, getting a few chances to tie the game in the last moments with six attackers.

The Lakers play their final preseason game on Saturday, Sept. 29 against the University of Western Mustangs. Game time is at 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.

Game Notes

-The final shot count was 35-28 for the Lakers.
-This game marked the debut of former 25-goal man with the Erie Otters in 2008, Brandon Biggers, who is enrolled in the Schulich School of Education.
-The attendance was 1,165