One of the toughest road trips you can think of didn't start well for the Nipissing Lakers men's hockey team.

The Lakers, who face both the Carleton Ravens and McGill Redmen this weekend, dropped the opening game to the Ravens by a final of 3-0 in our Nation's Capital.

The Lakers were outshot and outscored, as they continue to battle for the final playoff spot in the ultra-tough East Division of the OUA.

The division has three teams in the USports top-10 and the OUA overall, has more than half of the USports top 15 teams.

The Lakers will be the first to avoid excuses, but they do have one of the hardest schedules in the league and they haven't been able to catch a break during the 2016-17 season.

The Ravens scored what would be the game-winner in the first period and added two more in the second on their way to the shutout victory.

Travis Douglas had a goal and an assist and Evan De Haan had two assists to lead the Ravens.

Domenic Graham finished with 31 saves for the Lakers, as they were outshot 35-18 through 60 minutes of play.

Talor Joseph also made one save in just under 10 minutes of action.

Nipissing will remain on the road and face McGill Saturday night in Montreal.