It's the most wonderful time of the year – playoffs.

The Nipissing Lakers women's team is not only back in the OUA post-season, but they're also hosting Wednesday's first round game, as they welcome the UOIT Ridgebacks to North Bay.

The Lakers and Ridgebacks played to a 1-1 draw during the season, so it has the makings of a great matchup.

Hosting the game is a huge feat for Nipissing, not only because they will have the support of their fans behind them, but also because the Lakers were undefeated at the brand new turf field, going 4-0-3 throughout the season.

The Lakers have strength in all areas, led up front by Andrea Young and Madison Logan who combined for 13 goals this season.

In all, the Lakers had eight players find the back of the net during the year, a strong balance from a team that scored 21 goals and only surrendered 16.

Both Lakers goalkeepers provided Nipissing with stability all season long and will be counted on moving forward.

UOIT enters the game with a 2-4-1 record on the road, but have some skill up front as they had a pair of key strikers combine for nine goals.

And in net, two capable goalkeepers combined for five shutouts and seven wins.

There are a lot of similarities between the two teams and will feature skill all over the field which should equal an instant classic.

Nipissing had a six-game undefeated streak in the middle of the season, going 4-0-2, which included a draw with UOIT.

On the other side, the Ridgebacks had a stretch where they went 6-0-2, earning points in eight straight games and lost just once in September.

Both teams enter the playoffs coming off a tie, but all that is pushed aside with the new season ready to go.

Game time is 6pm at Nipissing Field with the winner advancing to the OUA quarter-finals, scheduled for Sunday afternoon.