Friday night they deserved a better fate and Saturday night they got what they deserved.

The Nipissing Lakers had to settle for a split this weekend, but a huge effort in the second game of the weekend gave them a hard-fought victory over the visiting UQTR Patriotes.

Great goaltending and some timely goals gave the Lakers a 4-2 win.

The Lakers provided all the offence through the first 40 minutes of the game, scoring a goal in each period and Brent Moran handled the rest to put Nipissing up 2-0 after two periods of play.

Gale Lubwele got the home team on the board with a power play marker midway through the first period, set up by Colby Tower and Drake Lindsay.

Lucas Clark would tally in the second period – his first of two on the night – also on the power play, with Matt Paul and Kylor Wall earning the helpers.

Things opened up in the third with a total of four goals – two for each team.

UQTR got on the board with a lucky bounce just past the midway point of the final frame.

The Lakers answered back late in the game as Clark scored again and again with the man advantage.

Colin Campbell made a nice pass across the crease and Clark tapped it in.

Paul picked up the other assist, his second of the game.

The Patriotes drew within one again scoring with 56 seconds left as they pulled their goalie.

Nipissing held on and Deverick Ottereyes sealed the win with an empty-net goal with seven seconds remaining in the game.

Lucas Brown and Brett Jeffries did strong work in their own end to chip the puck up and ahead.

Moran was great in net, finishing with 36 saves for the victory.

The Lakers remain on home ice and host Queens and RMC next weekend.