The 2015 CUFLA season kicked off in North Bay this past weekend, as the Nipissing Lakers hosted the Laurier Golden Hawks and Toronto Varsity Blues.

The first two home games and first two games of the year, went very well for the young squad, which is looking to take advantage of a solid foundation put in place last season.

The Lakers were able to come away with two big wins thanks to some solid team play and contributions from everyone in the lineup.

Game 1
Nipissing vs Laurier (W 9-5)
"We controlled the ball through 80 per cent of the first half. We had a lot of missed opportunities and a few too many penalties and as a result it was 3-3 after half. In the second half we really started connecting and ended the game at 9-6. Curtis Perry was good for 4 goals and an assist. Some of our rookies really showed up to play," head coach Sean McKinstry said.

Tanner Poole potted his first CUFLA goal as well as an assist. Doug Utting, a veteran of CUFLA, but a newcomer to the Lakers (western graduate, teachers college now) had a pair of goals and really helped lead the team.
 
Game 2
Nipissing vs Toronto (W 12-9)
"We had one of the best quarters I've ever seen our team play. We were cool, calm and collected and poised to dominate the game," McKinstry said.

The Lakers were up 6-1 after the first quarter. That's when the penalty trouble really kicked in. Nipissing started playing with a sense of desperation that was not needed considering the score of the game. By the end up the first half Toronto had battled back a bit and was now 8-4 at half.

The penalty trouble continued and by the end of the third, it was a 10-6 lead for the Lakers. In the fourth, the home team managed to rally around the defense and stay out of the box and they cruised to a 12-9 victory.

Kozlowski showed he could contribute, scoring four goals, while Perry, Utting and Poole continued to contribute on offense putting up two tallies apiece. Another rookie, Tyler Goodchild scored his first CUFLA goal as well.

Andrew Dominey, Kyle Weatherall, Genicko Galvan and Brayden Trace all played shut down defense that helped solidify both wins.

Newcomer Scott Dominey was taking the majority of the face offs and won most giving us a chance to hold possession of the ball in both games.

Most importantly our rookie goalie Andrew Wood played his first 2 games in CUFLA. He played fantastic making a lot of clutch saves that kept the Lakers in both of the games.

The Lakers are back at home this weekend, hosting Laurentian on Saturday evening at Veterans Field.

Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.