Box Score The format may have changed, but the goal remains the same for the Nipissing Lakers women's hockey team.

With a new playoff setup, the Lakers need just three wins to claim their first ever OUA Championship and the journey started Saturday night at Memorial Gardens.

Welcoming a familiar face to town in the Ryerson Rams, it was the Lakers, led by forward Brianna Gaffney, who came away with a 3-1 victory to move on to the East Division finals, set for Wednesday night.

In the opening period, after the teams traded shots and chances, it was a power play marker by the Rams that got the scoring started.

The opening goal came just shy of six minutes into the period.

Nine seconds shy of the midway mark of the period, the Lakers tied the game thanks to veteran Gaffney, who had an impressive regular season.

She continued her strong campaign with the team's first tally of the post-season, firing the puck upstairs to even the score.

After a fast-paced opening 20 minutes, the Lakers and Rams are tied 1-1.

Shots are 13-11 in favour of the Rams, thanks to a few productive power plays.

The Lakers took the lead four minutes into the second period thanks to a power play goal, off the stick of Gaffney, who notched her second of the game.

Maria Dominico and captain Katelyn Heppner picked up assists on the go-ahead goal.

After an entertaining 40 minutes, Gaffney's goal in the middle frame put the Lakers up one heading into the third period.

Although both teams had chances down the stretch, there was no offence to report until the dying seconds.

The Lakers killed off a late penalty and Gaffney completed the natural hat-trick to preserve the win and move on

Chloe Marshall, who got the nod in net, finished with 24 saves, while the Lakers fired 31 at Rachel Seeley in the Rams net.

With the victory, the Lakers will now advance to the East Division Finals on Wednesday at Toronto.