Two teams battling for the post-season took to the ice Friday night at Memorial Gardens in North Bay.

In the end, the Nipissing Lakers men's hockey team came up a goal short, falling 3-2 to the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, who jumped the Lakers and moved into fifth place.

Nipissing currently sits in seventh place.

The teams traded goals in the first period, with Nipissing getting on the board first.

Jacob Hickey found the back of the net to put Nipissing up a goal, just before the midway point of the opening frame.

Deverick Ottereyes and Alseny Bangoura grabbed helpers on the goal.

The Ridgeback answered the Lakers goal exactly six minutes later to tie things up – the period ended with the score reading 1-1.

Ontario Tech scored the lone goal of the middle frame, moving ahead 2-1 after 40 minutes.

The Lakers tied the game thanks to a Gael Lubwele tally at the 8:28 mark of the third – set up by Colby Tower and Drake Lindsay.

With under six minutes to go in the game, the Ridgebacks potted the winner to escape North Bay with the win and two points.

Talor Joseph finished with an impressive 40 saves in a solid effort.

Next up, the Lakers host the Queens Gaels Sunday afternoon at 4:30pm at Memorial Gardens.