Four-goal second propels Lakers to rout of Rams

Ryerson Rams goalie, Austin Van Den Boom sprawls to make a save in the first period of Nipissing's 7-3 rout. Photo by Paul Soucy.

Often times in their inaugural season, Nipissing’s games have been a tale of two teams – No more so than Friday night versus Ryerson. The Lakers fell behind 3-0 prior to the end of the first before scoring 4 un-answered in the second. Added to those 4 were 3 in the third and the Lakers skated to an impressive 7-3 home win.

Nipissing played poorly in the first period when they fell behind 2-0 in the first two minutes of the game, and 3-0 with less than four minutes in the opening frame.

“We weren’t smart in the first period,” Lakers coach Mike McParland said of his team’s play early in the game. “We were making decisions that were not of benefit to us.”

Nathan Hewitt took a slashing penalty 8 seconds into the game, which led to a Brent Small goal.

20 seconds later it seemed as though it would be Nipissing’s chance to even it up when Matt Rehman of the Rams took a high-sticking penalty. However, in what was starting to look like a one-sided game, Kevin Day notched a short-handed marker at 1:41 to put Ryerson up 2-0.

“The energy was good,” McParland said. “It was just not being focused in the right area.”

McParland told the team during the first intermission they needed to play smart and it showed as Matt Lahey scored his first of a few 23 seconds into the second, and Marcus Pryde added another at 0:45 and just like that the Lakers had cut the deficit to 1.

“The guys, I think, began to realize if they combine skating with smart play we could compete with anybody,” McParland said.

Leading the offensive charge in the win were Justin Villeneuve and Tyler Riel with a goal apiece, Marcus Pryde with a pair, and Captain Matt Lahey with three.

“It’s always good to score a hat trick,” Lahey said. “I don’t even remember the last time I got one.”

McParland pulled starting goalie, Kyle Cantlon after letting in 3 goals on 9 shots at 16:22 of the first, replacing him with Billy Stone.

“I think that putting Billy Stone in did give us the spark we needed,” McParland said. “Carl Wilson stepped up and played a very strong game with an assist.”

The Lakers travel to Kingston tomorrow to play the Queen’s Gaels to close out the regular season. They play their first playoff game either Thursday or Friday against either McGill or UQTR, before returning home on Friday to play a home playoff game. Puck drop is 7 P.M.