An early deficit was too much to recover from for the Nipissing Lakers men's hockey team, as they dropped Friday night's contest to the RMC Paladins in Kingston.

In a fight for the playoffs, the Lakers are in search of points, but were unable to earn any on the road and will now need to go on a run if they hope to continue their streak of playoff appearances, which stretches back to their inaugural season, in 2009.

Nipissing allowed two early goals, both before the four minute mark of the first period and trailed 3-0 after the opening 20 minutes.

In the second, the Lakers cut into their deficit by scoring twice.

Deverick Ottereyes got the Lakers on the board just after the midway point of the second period.

Erik Robichaud and Chad Thibodeau earned assists on the goal that had the Lakers back in the game.

Steve Deeg scored about two minutes later to pull Nipissing within one goal, as they fought back.

Taylor Davis and Colin Campbell picked up helpers Deeg's fourth of the season.

Shots through 40 minutes were even at 19-19.

In the third, pushing for the tying goal and eventually outshooting RMC 15-9, the Lakers surrendered the only goal while shorthanded.

Down two late in the third was too big of a hole to come back from, as Nipissing fell by a final of 4-2.

Domenic Graham and Talor Joseph combined to make 24 saves in the loss, as Nipissing ended up outshooting RMC 34-28.

The Lakers will try to bounce back Sunday night at home, as they host the UOIT Ridgebacks.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:15pm at Memorial Gardens.