Lakers win deciding game over Redmen

MONTREAL, QC - The tides have turned.

After losing 11 straight to the McGill Redmen, the Nipissing Lakers have now won 3 of their last 4 meetings including a tight 2-1 win in the deciding game of the best-of-three OUA East Division quarter-final series.

The Lakers fell behind 1-0 after the first period on a goal by Nicolas Biniek, but rebounded with goals by Lucas McKinley on a power play and the eventual game winner from defenceman Jeff Leaist at 14:27 of the second period.

The win give the Lakers a 2-1 series win over the Lakers who won game 1 on last Wednesday against the Redmen 4-2 on home ice and then dropped a 4-1 decision on Saturday night to the Redmen to force Sunday's deciding game.

This game 3 victory is the Lakers first ever win at McConnell arena.

For Lakers head coach Mike McParland, beating the defending CIS champions is definitely an amazing moment for the 4-year-old hockey program.

"We talked about commitment, dedication and team focus since the Christmas break and we really saw positive signs of that," said McParland.

"I would say it is the biggest win in the history of the program," said excited 3rd year forward Brogan Bailey.

"The best way to describe it is it was a team win every guy did there job and it was a great game."

The Lakers penalty kill was rock solid again on Sunday as the Redmen finished 0/10 on the power play and that including a pair of long 5 on 3 power plays.

The Lakers appeared to take a 3-1 lead when a puck appeared to deflect off the foot of Lucas McKinley for an insurance marker but it was called "no goal."

Shortly after that, the Lakers were forced to kill one of their 2 long 5 on 3's.

Dan Spence made 27 saves for the victory between the pipes for the Lakers. McParland said he was solid in the deciding game.

The Lakers now will have the tall order of trying to knock off the OUA East leading UQTR Patriotes in the OUA East Division semi-finals.

That series will begin in North Bay on Wednesday, February 20th. Game time is 7 pm at Memorial Gardens.

Reminder to TVCogeco viewers, that the game on Wednesday will likely be played on tape delay.