The Nipissing Lakers women's hockey team won at least two games in a row five times this season.

They're going to need to make it six after dropping Game 1 of the OUA quarter-final matchup to the Toronto Varsity Blues Wednesday night.

The Lakers fell 3-1 on the road, with Game 2 set for Friday night at Memorial Gardens in what is now a do-or-die game for Nipissing.

Toronto struck early, just 2:22 into the first period and added to their lead before the end of the first period, taking a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

The lone goal of the middle frame came from the Lakers, as Hunter Mosher buried a shorthanded tally to help her team climb back into the game.

After 40 minutes, the Lakers trailed 2-1.

The lone goal of the third period sealed the win for Toronto, as they scored at the midway mark of the period to go up by two.

From there, they locked things down and took home the victory.

Lakers goalie Danika Ranger finished with 21 saves, while Nipissing fired 16 shots at the Toronto goaltender.

Game 2 of the best-of-3 series goes Friday night at 7:30pm at Memorial Gardens.

If Nipissing wins, Game 3 is set for Sunday afternoon at 4pm in Toronto.