Box Score It's a key weekend for the Nipissing Lakers men's hockey team if they're to make a second half playoff push in the OUA East Division.

The Lakers hosted the first of a pair of games against the Queen's Gaels Friday, looking to gain ground on both the Gaels and RMC.

While the Lakers deserved a better fate, a late third period goal saw them on the wrong side of a 4-2 decision, as they drop the first game of the weekend to Queen's

The Gaels wasted little time getting on the board in the first, finding the back of the net less than two minutes into the game.

Nipissing responded with a goal of their own near the midway point of the period, as they tallied off the rush.

Harrison Caines and Pascal Valcourt combined for the goal, as Valcourt tapped home the initial Caines shot after driving the net.

Cole Stewart got the play going, moving the puck ahead as he draws the second assist on the tying goal.

The Lakers pushed late and generated chances in the final few seconds, but were unable to take the lead.

The score remained 1-1 after 20 minutes, while the Lakers held an 11-8 advantage in the shot department.

Nipissing came out strong in the second, controlling the play through the first half of the period.

Two seconds past the midway point of the middle frame, the Lakers were rewarded as veteran forward Jacob Collins buried a goal off the rush, putting Nipissing up 2-1.

Kyle Foreman earned the lone assist on the go-ahead goal.

The physicality picked up late in the period, but the Lakers managed to take a one goal lead into the second intermission.

After 40 minutes, Nipissing led 2-1 and had a one shot advantage, up 25-24.

It didn't take long for the Gaels to tie the game in the third, as they put home a power play goal just over two minutes into the third period, making it 2-2.

Despite pushing and generating enough offence, the Lakers were unable to find the back of the net late in the game.

The only goals in the third period came from the Gaels, as they scored the winner with just under six minutes to go and added an empty-netter to seal the victory.

Zach Roy was between the pipes for the Lakers, finishing with 36 saves, while Nipissing had 37 shots of their own.

The teams are back at it Saturday afternoon to wrap up the weekend.

Puck drop is 3pm at Memorial Gardens.