Jackie Rochefort made 49 saves and the Lakers scored two empty netters in the in final five minutes of play as they defeated the Laurentian Voyageurs 5-2 in game one of the best-of-three OUA varsity women’s hockey playoffs series which took place Wednesday night at Memorial Gardens.
After a scoreless first period Jade Gauthier and Brooklyn Irwin scored goals in the opening minute and final minute of the middle frame to give the home side a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes.
Laura McKenzie scored the game winner only 13 seconds into the third period.
However, down by three, the Voyageurs battled back. Sara Habal got the Vees on the board with a power play marker at 11:37 and less than 30 seconds later Emma Leger brought the visitors within one.
Only down by one, the Voyageurs, who outshot the Lakers 51-25, pulled their goalie with five minutes left in regulation and Taylor Murphy scored an empty netter at 15:12 and again with the Vees net empty Jessa Derenoski put home the back breaker at 17:51 to seal the win.
Lakers head coach Darren Turcotte was happy with the win but not the way his team played.
"We had a long talk after the game," Turcotte stated post game.
"That game was not really what we were hoping for other than the final outcome. We are a better team than we showed tonight. Kudos to Laurentian for playing the way they did. Jackie [Rochefort] weathered the storm for us at the start of the game and held it together for us at the end. She showed why she is a top goalie in the OUA."
The Lakers will look to wrap up the series on Saturday night at Countryside arena in Sudbury. Puck drop is set for 7:20 p.m.
If necessary, the third and deciding game would take place on Sunday, February 26th for a 4 p.m. puck drop.
