It hasn't been the easiest stretch for the Nipissing Lakers men's hockey team, but they managed to come up with a big win today so snap a slide they would like to put behind them.

The Lakers had dropped five in a row entering today's contest with the Toronto Varsity Blues, including a 5-1 decision last night to Ryerson, but they responded in a big way, grabbing a 5-3 victory.

Led by strong goaltending and Steven Deeg's two goals, the Lakers earned their third win of the season which puts them in a tie for the final playoff spot in the East Division.

Nipissing hung around the game for the first 30 minutes Friday night, trailing just 2-1, but late the Lakers couldn't faultered and Ryerson took advantage, scoring three straight goals to hand Nipissing the loss.

Cody Gratton had the lone goal, assisted by Jimmy McDowell and Joel Herbert.

Saturday was a different story, however, as Nipissing never trailed, leading from start to finish and earning a much needed win.

Taylor Davis opened the scoring, his first tally in the OUA.

Toronto tied it before the end of the first, but as soon as the second began, Nipissing took control again.

Gratton and Guillaume Naud scored to make it 3-1 before Toronto cut the lead late, sending the teams to the dressing room separated by just a goal.

McDowell, Brett Jeffries, Davis, Erik Robichaud, Dylan Staples and Chad Thibodeau all earned assists on the Lakers first three goals.

In the third, with Nipissing up 3-2, they put it away with two goals from Deeg, who scored less than three minutes apart to put the game away.

McDowell earned another assist, along with Brock Morrison, Sam Gleason and Colin Campbell.

Toronto scored another late goal to make the game interesting, but Nipissing held on.

Domenic Graham made 38 saves for the win, as Toronto outshot the Lakers 41-31 on the game.

Finishing strong and returning home has the Lakers looking up, as they return to North Bay for two home games next weekend.

They host RMC Friday and Carleton Saturday.

Both games start at 7:15pm at Memorial Gardens.