A strong final two periods wasn't enough for the Nipissing Lakers women's hockey to erase an early deficit in their 2017-18 home opener Friday afternoon.

The Lakers outshot and controlled the second and third periods as they welcomed the Western Mustangs to town to kickoff the OUA season, but thanks to a four goal first period, the Mustangs upended the LAkers 6-3.

The Mustangs struck early, building p a 3-0 lead within the first 16 minutes of the opening period.

Nipissing got on the board when Jade Gauthier found the back of the net to cut the lead to 3-1, however, with 24 seconds left in the period, the Mustangs scored again to regain a three goal lead.

Gauthier's goal came from the slot, where she fired home her first of the year.

Maria Dominico and Robyn Degagne grabbed assists on the tally.

Neither team managed much offence in the second period and combined for just seven shots.

In the third, the Lakers put on a lot of pressure, and fired 11 shots towards the Mustangs net, but managed only two goals, the second of which came in the dying seconds of the game.

With the score 4-1, Gauthier found the back of the net for a second time cutting the lead in half.

The Lakers pulled their goalie with about four minutes left in the period, but Western would be the team to take advantage, making it 5-2.

With just under a minute to go, Dominico would scored her first OUA goal, once again chipping away at the lead, but again, the Mustangs answered in the form of an empty-net goal to seal the win.

Final shots were 26-19 in favour of Nipissing.

The Lakers will look to bounce back Saturday, as they host the Windsor Lancers.

Game time is set for 4:30pm at Memorial Gardens.