| Box Score 2 The Nipissing Lakers men's hockey team earned a weekend split on the road to wrap up the first half of the season, this past weekend.

The Lakers dropped a 6-3 decision to the Queens Gaels Friday night before rebounding with a 4-2 victory over the RMC Paladins Saturday afternoon.

In the weekend's opening game, the Lakers matched up against the powerful Gaels.

The Gaels scored the lone goal of the first period, leading 1-0 after 20 minutes.

In the second, the teams combined for five goals – three from the Gaels and a pair from the Lakers.

Max Griffioen tied the game early in the middle frame for Nipissing, assisted by Harrison Caines and Parker Bowman.

Queens scored the next three prior to the Lakers answering once again.

Jacob Hickey tallied to cut into the Gaels' lead, with helpers going to Colby Tower and Gael Lubwele.

After 40 minutes, Nipissing trailed 4-2.

The Gaels extended their lead to 6-2 with goals 20 seconds apart late in the third before the Hickey scored his second of the game.

Tower earned his second assist on the final goal of the game.

Francis Asselin was tagged with the loss in net, finishing with 38 saves, while the Lakers finished with 20 shots of their own.

With less than a 24-hour turnaround, the Lakers stepped up and earned a crucial two points.

Nipissing jumped out to a 3-0 lead over the Paladins, with a goal coming in the first and two early in the second.

Gael Lubwele scored the lone goal in the opening frame, set up by Tower, who continue his strong weekend.

Up 1-0 after 20 minutes, the Lakers added to their lead thanks to goals from Jacob Collins and Cole Stewart.

Caines and Ben Garagan combined to set up Collins, while Pascal Valcourt and Elias Lieffers earned assists on Stewart's tally.

The Paladins replied with a goal of their own late in the second, but the Lakers still held a 3-1 advantage after 40 minutes.

The teams traded goals in the third, with Nipissing extending their lead back to three goals before RMC responded.

Hickey scored unassisted just after the midway point of the period, with the Paladins goal coming two minutes later.

From there, Nipissing locked things down for the win.

Brett Epp made 30 saves for the victory.

Nipissing fired 34 shots at the Paladins net.

The games wrapped up the first semester for the Lakers, who will now get some time off before returning to the ice on Jan. 8 and 9 against Ontario Tech.