If there was ever a game where you would say the Nipissing Lakers men's hockey team deserved better, it was Friday night.

The Lakers dominated the visiting Laurentian Voyageurs on the ice, on the shot-clock, in chances, in overall play, but couldn't solve the goaltending of Alain Valiquette, as he made 47 saves helping the Voyageurs escape with a 4-2 over the Lakers.

Nipissing opened the scoring just past the midway point of the first period when Brock Morrison scored on the power play to put the Lakers up 1-0.

Laurentian tied the game with 0.6 seconds left in the period on a harmless shot that eluded Lakers goalie Domenic Graham and sent the teams to the dressing room tied 1-1.

Nipissing once again grabbed a one goal lead when they scored early in the second period.

Joel Herbert, who assisted on the Lakers first goal, gave Nipissing a 2-1 lead as they took control of the game.

In the second period alone, Nipissing fired 23 shots at the Laurentian net.

After chances at both ends, the Lakers had a great opportunity to go ahead for a third time late in the final period, but once again, Valiquette stood tall and kept the Vees in the game.

After a big stop, Laurentian turned the puck up ice and scored what would be the game-winner with five minutes left in the period.

They would add an empty-netter to seal the win and grab a key two points.

The final shots were 49-23 in favour of the Lakers.

Nipissing, who deserved the win, will regroup this week before finishing off the first half of play with a road trip to take on the Carleton Ravens and Concordia Stingers next weekend.