Box Score Thanks to a strong third period, the Nipissing Lakers women's hockey team is one win away from the second round.

The Lakers hit the road for Game 1 of their first round OUA Playoff matchup against the Queen's Gaels Wednesday night and used a pair of goals in the final frame to come away with a 3-1 victory and a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three series.

After the Gaels struck first, Nipissing replied to tie the game.

Katie Chomiak brought the Lakers even about four minutes later, with Maggie McKee earning the lone assist on the goal.

The scored stayed tied through the second and just shy of the halfway mark of the third when Kara Den Hoed redirected a shot form Emma Thomas to put the Lakers up 2-1.

Queen's pressured late, but the Lakers held on and Chomiak iced the game with her second of the night into an empty net.

Chantelle Sandquist was strong in net, finishing with 31 saves, while the Lakers had 33 shots of their own.

Game 2 is set for Friday night at 7pm in Powassan as the Lakers look to wrap up the series and advance to Round 2.