The Nipissing Lakers men’s hockey team came up with a big effort Saturday night, doubling up on the RMC Paladins 6-3 to stay in the hunt for the final playoff spot on Military Appreciation Night at Memorial Gardens Saturday night.
The game was a must-win and Nipissing came out with the effort required to pick up two points.
Danny Desrochers and Erik Robichaud led the way with four points each, Colin Campbell had three and huge second period turned out to be the difference.
After RMC opened up the scoring, Colin Campbell found the back of the net to tie the game 1-1.
Robichaud and Brock Morrison picked up helpers on the goal.
With the score tied 1-1 through 20, the second period was wide open.
RMC once again grabbed the lead, this time just 28 seconds into the period.
Matt Donnelly, unassisted, tied the game less than three minutes later and two minutes later Desrochers gave Nipissing the lead.
Campbell and Robichaud picked up assists on the goal.
The Paladins refused to stay down, tying the game at three just past the midway point of the second period.
But 29 seconds later, Desrochers scored his second of the game and the eventual game-winner.
The goal came from a perfect deflection off a Tyler Edwards point shot. Robichaud grabbed another point with the other assist.
Before the period was out the Lakers added to their lead as Robichaud, who had three assists, found the back of the net to make it 5-3 after 40 minutes.
It was Desrochers’ turn earning an assist, along with Campbell, who set up the goal.
The lone goal of the third came off the stick of none other than Desrochers, as he completed the hat-trick with a shorthanded penalty shot goal.
He made a quick move to the backhand and popped it into the back of the net.
From there, the Lakers held on and picked up a much-needed two points.
Brent Moran wasn’t overly busy, but finished with 23 saves. Nipissing has 35 shots on goal.
The Lakers are back in Tuesday against Laurentian in a pivotal matchup, then next weekend on the road when they face Ottawa and RMC to close out the regular season.
