If the Nipissing Lakers men's hockey team wanted to send the rest of the OUA's East Division a message – consider that message sent.
The Lakers turned in likely their best effort of the season as they came up with a gritty 4-1 win over the powerful Carleton Ravens Friday night on home ice.
In a possible preview of the first round playoffs, the Lakers and Ravens a playoff style game with lots of physical play, a great pace and even some after the whistle festivities.
But in the end, Nipissing prevailed thanks to being disciplined, getting strong goaltending and capitalizing on their chances.
Carleton opened the scoring just before the midway point of the first period when Joey West slipped a rebound past Lakers goalie
Domenic Graham, who was very strong in net, allowing just the one goal.
Less than four minutes later,
Colin Campbell made a nice pass to linemate
Guillaume Naud who went in on a breakaway and made a great move, putting a backhand home to tie the game.
Jimmy McDowell added the other assist on the goal.
After a scoreless second period that saw a lot of hitting and tough play, the Lakers opened things up in the third.
Craig Campbell gave Nipissing the lead just after the five minute mark in the final stanza, tapping home a rebound after a point shot by
Sam Gleason.
Mackenzie Keirstead picked up the other assist, making a strong pass along the blueline to Gleason.
Just after the halfway point,
Colin Campbell scored a beauty, one-timing a slick feed from
Erik Robichaud into the back of the net to give the Lakers a 3-1 lead.
The Ravens pushed back, but the Lakers held on and Robichaud, picking up his second point of the game, sealed the win with an empty-netter with 39 seconds left in the game.
Robichaud and both Campbells – Colin and Craig – finished with a goal and an assist.
Harrison Harper also found the scoresheet, picking up a helper on Nipissing's third goal.
Graham was very good between the pipes, finishing with 26 saves.
The Lakers have now won three in a row and will look to make it four when they host the UQTR Patriotes Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.
