Box Score Coming off a first round sweep, the Nipissing Lakers women's hockey team is riding momentum as they open the second round of the OUA Playoffs Wednesday night on home ice.

After dispatching of the Queen's Gaels in two games, the Lakers face the West Division's top team, the Waterloo Warriors.

The Warriors defeated the Brock Badgers in three games in Round 1 to earn a spot in the league semi-finals.

The Lakers bounced back from surrendering a late two goal lead to come away with a 4-3 victory to put them one win away from the OUA Finals and a spot in the USports Nationals.

After a tentative start, the Lakers picked up the pace and it paid off just shy of the midway point of the period.

Maria Dominico made her way to the slot and fired home a low shot, on the shortside, making it 1-0 Nipissing.

The shot that came through traffic was assisted by Lana Duriez.

Dominico's tally gave the Lakers a 1-0 lead heading into the intermission, while also heading an advantage in shots, outshooting Waterloo 19-8.

Just under eight minutes into the second period, the Warriors tied things up.

A deflected point shot made its way into the top corner, by a maze of hands and sticks and into the back of the net.

With the score 1-1, the Lakers capped off the period with some excitement.

Katie Chomiak scored her third of the playoffs, scooping up a loose puck and tucking the puck home to give Nipissing the lead.

Just over a minute late, Maria Dominico scored one of the goals of the year, juggling and dangling her way through the defender and tucking the puck home to put Nipissing up a pair late in the period.

The two late markers put the Lakers up 3-1 after 40 minutes, along with a 33-14 shot advantage.

Nipissing locked things down for much of the third period, limiting Waterloo to just four shots through the first half of the period.

Waterloo pulled within one with just under five minutes left in the third.

The Warriors saved some dramatics for the final few seconds, tying the game with 29.9 seconds left to make it 3-3 and send the game to overtime.

In overtime, it took a weird and maybe slightly controversial goal, but the Lakers pick up a big Game 1 win, edging the Warriors in the extra period.

Chomiak got credit for the goal after a scramble and loose puck in the Waterloo crease.

No whistle went and the puck slid into the back of the net to give Nipissing the win.

Chantelle Sandquist was strong again in net, making 27 saves, while the Lakers peppered the Warriors net with 45 shots of their own.

The teams are back on the ice for Game 2 Friday night in Waterloo, where the Lakers will look to wrap up the series.

Game time is set for 7pm.