You can't fault the Nipissing Lakers men's hockey team when it comes to effort – it's just the results that are lacking lately.

The Lakers hosted one of the league's top teams, the Carleton Ravens, and like the entire season, played them hard and battled for a full 60 minutes.

In the end, Nipissing came up short as the Ravens used a three-goal third period to escape with a 5-4 win.

After Carleton opened up the scoring at the 5:55 mark shorthanded, the Lakers responded with two goals of their own to close out the period up 2-1.

Tyler Brown tied the game just over 40 seconds later on the power play, setup by Kylor Wall and Kyle Lewis.

Then it was Lewis, picking up his second point of the period, who made it 2-1 with 30 seconds left in the period.

It was a similar story in the second period, as the Ravens scored first to even things up at two, but Nipissing responded with a pair of goals.

Gael Lubwele continued his strong play, scoring his seventh goal of the year, assisted by Drake Lindsay and Wall.

Then Lucas Brown gave the Lakers a 4-2 late in the middle frame, scoring his third of the year.

Jacob Hickey and Deverick Otteryes earned helpers on the goal.

Up a pair at the beginning of the third, the Lakers saw their lead disappear.

The Ravens scored three times in seven minutes, including the go-ahead goal with six minutes left in the game.

That outburst gave the Ravens the victory as they escape North Bay with two points.

Talor Joseph made 26 saves, one of which was on a penalty shot.

Nipissing had 30 shots on goal, while Carleton finished with 31.

The Lakers are back in action Saturday when they host the Ottawa Gee Gees.

Game time is 7:30pm at Memorial Gardens.