The standings say it's the two seed versus the seventh, but Wednesday night, the Nipissing Lakers men's hockey program threw the standings out the window.

Playing their best game of the year, the Lakers gave the Queens Gaels everything they could handle and if not for an unfortunate bounce in overtime, could have earned the upset.

In the end, the Gaels escaped North Bay with a 4-3 win in overtime, as the teams kicked off their first round playoff matchup.

Things started very well for Nipissing, as Deverick Ottereyes took advantage of a loose puck and deposited it into the net exactly nine minutes into the first period.

Guillaume Naud and Brody Morris earned assists on the series' opening goal.

Queens would tie the game with just under five minutes to play in the period on a sneaky wrist-shot from the top of the circles.

The Gaels would score the lone goal of the second period, putting them up 2-1 after 40 minutes.

Three of the best players on the ice Wednesday nice combined to tie the game midway through the third.

Brett Jeffries cashed in to make it 2-2 thanks to a lot of hardwork from himself and his linemates, Tyler and Lucas Brown.

Lucas Brown grabbed an assist, along with Sam Gleason on the goa..

The trip was all over the ice playing physical, generating chances down low and overall, played and impressive game.

Just over a minute late, however, the Gaels would regain the lead as they scooped up a loose puck and made it 3-2.

Nipissing wouldn't go quietly, as they poured it on in the final nine minutes of the third.

Finally they were rewarded.

Brett Hargrave found the puck to the right of the Gaels net and fired a shot under Kevin Bailie's blocked to tie things up at 3-3 with just 47 seconds left on the clock.

Colin Campbell and Erik Robichaud picked up helpers on the late goal.

Overtime decided the first game of the series and while the Lakers hit two posts and had the better of the chances, it was Queens that would end things four minutes into the extra frame.

Brent Moran was spectacular in net, finishing with 53 saves, while Bailie was very good as well, ending the game with 41 saves.

Nipissing now hits the road for one, hopefully two games, to stay alive in the 2018 OUA Playoffs.

Game 2 in the best-of-three goes Friday night at 7:30pm in Kingston.

Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday night at 7:30pm, also in Kingston, if necessary.