Lakers preparing to host NCAA Lakers

The Nipissing Lakers are back on the ice preparing arguably for their toughest competition of the stretch run.

The good news is it is only exhibition.

The Nipissing Lakers play the NCAA Lake Superior State Lakers (based in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan) in a pair of exhibition games on Saturday and Sunday (both 1 pm starts) as they return to action after the Christmas break.

“They are a good team and just before their break they beat the University of Miami-Ohio, one of the top ranked NCAA teams in the U.S.,” said Lakers head coach Mike McParland prior to a Wednesday afternoon practice at Memorial Gardens.

“We thought it would be an attraction to bring NCAA hockey to North Bay, something I don’t think has ever been here in the past. We play them twice which is good for us and good for the hockey fans in the city.”

The Lakers traveled to the upper peninsula of Michigan for a pair of NCAA exhibition matches in early October where they were defeated 5-3 by the Michigan Tech Huskies and then lost 11-0 to the Northern Michigan Wildcats in a game where the Lakers played without their top 6 forwards due to injury.

“The American schools play a good transition game and up tempo style of hockey,” said McParland.

The Nipissing Lakers, who sit in 5th spot in the OUA East with 8-6-3 record, hope the doubleheader the Lakers are calling the “Winter Classic” will be a good tune-up as don’t they play their next regular season game until Saturday, January 8th in Toronto against Ryerson.

“For us it’s a good game and more than a tune-up for us on the stretch run,” said McParland.

“We hope we get a good fan base this weekend which could lure more NCAA Division I teams here in the future. If its attractive for Lake State maybe another big school will come here.”

Lakers vs. Lakers ticket info

Purchase tickets to the games by visiting the Memorial Garden’s Box Office on December 31st from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. or between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The box office will be open at 10:00 a.m. on January 1st and 2nd.