Finally, the Nipissing Lakers men's hockey team got what they deserved – a win and two points.

For too much of the season, Nipissing has put in solid efforts, been the better teams, but for a number of different reasons, were unable to come away with wins and points.

That wasn't the story Saturday night, however, as they were able to come away with a thrilling 3-2 shootout victory over the always-tough UQTR Patriotes, at Memorial Gardens.

Despite needing 70 minutes and a shootout, the Lakers were the better team for most of the night, but had to fight for every inch.

After a scoreless opening period that only saw a total of eight shots, things kicked into high gear in the second and third.

The Patriotes opened up the scoring just past the midway point of the second period when a shot from the point found its way through traffic and into the net on the power play.

Exactly three minutes late, the Lakers would reply.

Colin Campbell scored his team-leading 12th of the season to even things up after 40 minutes of play.

Brock Morrison earned the assist on the Lakers first of the game.

In the third, it was Nipissing who grabbed the lead thanks to a goal by Joel Herbert.

Craig Campbell grabbed the helper on the go-ahead goal.

The lead would last until just after the halfway point of the period when UQTR would tie the game up, eventually sending the teams to extra time, even though both had chances to win the game in regulation.

Nipissing dominated the two overtime periods, firing 13 shots on goal, compared to just three from the Patriotes.

They were unable to score, however, and after 70 minutes of play, a 40-26 shot advantage for Nipissing and a 2-2 score, the teams went to a shootout.

After a UQTR miss, Dylan Staples made it 1-0 Lakers.

In the second round, the Patriotes would tie it up, but with Lakers goalie Jeremy Pominville coming up big in the shootout and stopping the third Patriotes shooter, a goal would win it for Nipissing.

Assistant captain Jimmy McDowell would make no mistake in ending the game, finding the back of the net to give the Lakers the win and the full two points.

Now just five points out of a playoff spot, Nipissing will look to close that gap next weekend, hosting Brock and York at Memorial Gardens.

Game times are 7:15pm against Brock Friday and York Satuday.