Lakers to host 3rd annual Support Our Troops game

Lakers forward Andrew Marcoux and defenceman Jason Gray sport the Camouflage jerseys they will be wearing for the 3rd annual Lakers Support Our Troops Night on Friday night. Photo by Chris Dawson.

Once again the Nipissing Lakers Varsity hockey team will be putting the Military on the front lines at Memorial Gardens as they will be once again hosting their 3rd annual Support Our Troops night.

The Lakers are exchanging their blue and white jerseys for Camouflage Lakers jerseys which will be auctioned off to support the Military Family Resource Centre at CFB North Bay.

"We as an organization are thrilled to have military in attendance on Friday and it’s an honour to be able to say thanks to them," said Lakers VP of Marketing Gary Davison.

The Lakers have drawn more than 3700 fans in the previous 2 Military games and head coach Mike McParland is expecting another good crowd this Friday.

“It’s not just for us but it's good to have a strong crowd which shows support for the military as well and shows that we are thankful and proud for what they do for us,” added Lakers head coach Mike McParland.

The event once again includes another Military connection as the Royal Military College Paladins will be making a salute to the Military by taking part in the game for the third straight season.

In 2011, the Lakers won a convincing 6-0 affair in the inaugural event while last year the Lakers snuck out with an exciting 2-1 overtime win in front of 1,715 supporters.

Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Gardens. For ticket information call (705) 474-3770.

The Lakers are in a dogfight to grab a home ice advantage position in the tight OUA East. The Lakers sport a 9-8-2 record good for 20 points which has them in 6th position; only 2 points back of the 4th place Ottawa Gee Gee’s who have a game in hand.

McParland is expecting RMC to be motivated by the strong pro-military crowd along with the memory of being soundly beaten 8-2 at home by the Lakers last Saturday night in Kingston.

"They will play more motivated like they did last year, they are the hardest working team anyway," said McParland.

"Being a military appreciate game gives them a little more of a jump; their goaltender played well last year and we only won in OT. We know they will work hard like we did last year."