Box Score It wasn't the homecoming the Nipissing Lakers men's hockey team had in mind after a season-opening road trip.

After going 1-1 on the road in Oshawa last weekend, the Lakers welcomed the Queens Gaels to North Bay for a date at Memorial Gardens, but it was the Gaels who walked away with the victory.

Queens jumped out to a 5-0 lead through a period and a half and cruised to the 5-2 win over Nipissing.

The Gaels found the back of the net three times in the opening period, one just before the midway point and two in the final five minutes.

The third goal came on the power play with just 15 seconds left in the frame.

In the middle period, Queens scored twice before the second minute to balloon their lead to 5-0.

The Lakers replied with one of their own in the second as Chad Denault scored his first of the year just 30 seconds after the Gaels made it 5-0.

Pascal Valcourt earned the lone assist on Nipissing's opening goal.

With the score 5-1 after 40 minutes, the Lakers managed to win the third, scoring the lone goal.

Cole Stewart tallied near the midway mark of the period, with Ben Garagan and Harrison Caines grabbed assists on the goal.

Brett Epp was very good and very busy in net, but was tagged with the loss.

That was as close as Nipissing would get, however, as they will look to rebound Saturday afternoon.

Puck drop is set for 3:30pm at Memorial Gardens.