In the Nipissing Lakers women's varsity hockey team's final weekend of play and their final home game of the regular season, the Lakers got a great team effort, a first career shutout from veteran goalie Micaela Stutzki in a big 3-0 win for the Lakers over the York Lions.
The Lakers scored a goal in the first, two in the second and locked things down in the third, cruising to their 17th victory of the season.
In the first, the Lakers found the back of the net with Laura McKenzie broke in alone and made no mistake, putting the home team up 1-0.
The goal, which was unassisted, turned out to be the winner.
In the second, Nipissing sealed the win with a pair of goals.
First, Hunter Mosher deflected a shot to make it 2-0 Lakers. Mosher’s goal keep her hot streak going as she now has goals in three straight and five points in her past six games. Zosia Davis and Natalie Graham picked up helpers on the second Lakers goal.
Brooklyn Irwin capped off the scoring when she tipped in a point shot from Stacey Henshaw to make it 3-0 and put the game out of reach.
Irwin was all over the puck Friday, getting a tonne of chances, including a penalty shot and was finally rewarded with the goal.
From there, the Lakers clamped down and Stutzki made key saves when she needed to, earning the win and her first OUA shutout in the process.
Stutzki finished with 17 saves.
The Lakers will now head to Guelph for a showdown with the first place Gryphons.
Depending on how Guelph does Friday night, the game could determine top spot in the OUA.
Either way, the Lakers will finish first or second and will open the playoffs Wednesday.
Location, time and opponent will be finalized this weekend.
