Box Score The math is simple for the Nipissing Lakers women's hockey team.

Four wins for a third straight berth at USports Nationals and five for their first ever OUA championship.

But to get there, they'll have to get by the York Lions, Nipissing's first-round opponent as the two teams began their best-of-three, opening round series Wednesday night at Memorial Gardens.

Despite dominating in shots and chances, the Lakers were on the wrong side of a 1-0 overtime decision, as the Lions came away with a 1-0 win to go up 1-0 in the series.

A fast-paced opening period didn't result in any offence from either team, despite chances at both ends of the ice.

Shots favoured Nipissing 8-7, but the score remained 0-0.

In the middle frame, it was more of the same.

Chances by both teams, a quick pace, but no goals to report, as the teams headed to the second intermission still knotted up at 0-0.

Shots read 18-15 in favour of the Lakers.

With three periods in the books and nothing to report offensively, the Lakers and Lions headed to overtime.

After regulation time, shots were 29-20 in favour of the Lakers.

The lone goal of the game came with 5:48 left in the overtime period, as the Lions escape with the win.

The final shots heavily favoured the Lakers, 44-26, but the only offence of the game belonged to the Lions.

Game 2, with the Lakers looking to stay alive, will take place Friday morning at the Canlan Ice Sports facility.

Puck drop is set for 11:30am.