Kingston, ON – The Nipissing Lakers Men's Hockey team completed a two-game road trip in Kingston this past weekend, losing against Queen's University and winning at Royal Military College.
On Thursday, November 7th, the Lakers visited the Queen's Gaels. Kyle Foreman of the Lakers got the scoring started at 7:27 of the first period, giving the Lakers a 1-0 lead. Assists on the goal were awarded to Noah Vom Scheidt and Deandres De Jesus. The Lakers maintained the 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
Early in the second period, Nipissing's Cole Jenken took a boarding penalty, and the Gaels took the opportunity and ran. Queen's forward Sebbie Johnson scored his second goal of the season on the man advantage to tie the game at one.
Queen's had another power play chance at 8:54 of the middle frame, but Nipissing's penalty kill took care of business. Chase Lacombe took a high sticking penalty at 16:19 of the 2nd, but the Lakers penalty kill again proved effective, and the 1-1 tie was preserved heading into the final 20 minutes of play.
Queen's took the lead at 6:43 of the third period as Kolton Cousins scored his third goal of the campaign on a point shot from the right-side. Nipissing goaltender Zach Roy was screened heavily on the play.
From there, Nipissing began a push back, determined to get back into the game. Gaels defenceman Jack Duff took a tripping penalty at the 8:29 mark, giving Nipissing the opportunity they needed. Queen's managed to kill the power play, but the Lakers rode the momentum of the man advantage past the expired penalty and tied the game at 12:15 courtesy of Markas Samenas' fourth tally of the year.
Unfortunately, the tie didn't last for long as Nipissing got caught in their own zone by Queen's attacking fore check. Nipissing attempted to clear the puck, which was stolen by Queen's and a shot from the slot beat Roy for Queen's third goal of the game. The Gaels sensed an opportunity and took advantage of it.
Nipissing pulled goaltender Roy in the dying minutes of the game and pressed hard to tie things up. Queen's scored an empty net goal at 19:00 to lead 4-2, and that's where this game would end.
Nipissing's Zach Roy stopped 33 of 36 shots in the loss.
On Friday, November 8th, the Lakers looked to bounce back from their loss the previous night against the RMC Paladins, and they did just that.
Noah Vom Scheidt got Nipissing on the baord at 6:56 of the first period, scoring on a back-hand penalty shot after RMC's Wade Bolton took a hooking penalty on the previous play. The goal was Vom Scheidt's 6th tally of the season. The Paladins would kill the ensuing Lakers power play.
Markas Samenas would double Nipissing's lead at 10:54 on his fifth goal of the season. Jonathan Rees picked up the lone assist on the goal that put the Lakers up 2-0. The 2 goal lead would hold into the first intermission.
To start the second period, Markas Samenas took a holding penalty at 2:00. 57 second later, RMC couldn't hold the puck in their offensive zone, leading to a Nipissing short-handed 2 on 1 break. Lakers forward Ken Belanger made no mistake, burying the pass from Charlie Johnson and making the lead 3-0. RMC wouldn't score on the remaining power play time.
Nipissing then made impressive and quick work of doubling the 3-0 lead, this time scoring 3 goals inside 2 minutes from 8:06 to 9:50 in the second. Chad Denault (3), Jeremy Duhamel (1), and Noah Vom Scheidt's 2nd of the game, 7th of the year, gave Nipissing a 6-0 lead that they would not look back on.
The remainder of the game would be quite chippy and restless. The Lakers found themselves on a power play at 10:45 after Wade Bolton took a 4-minute penalty for roughing. Nipissing's Deandres De Jesus was also called for roughing, his penalty only a 2-minute infraction. At 11:26, Nipissing's Reilly Mayne was called for roughing, while RMC's Henry Attard received infractions for cross checking, roughing, and a 10-minute misconduct for inciting. No goals would be scored on any of these power plays, and the Lakers took a 6-0 lead to the dressing room after 40 minutes.
The third period was another spirited affair in the penalties department. RMC's Noah Matulu was given a 10-minute misconduct for checking from behind at 5:53. Nipissing's Chad Denault received a 10-minute misconduct, as well. No scoring was had in the final 20 minutes, and the Lakers won 6-0.
Nipissing's Zach Roy was perfect in the win, stopping all 22 RMC shots earning a shutout win.
After this weekend's action, the Lakers now sit 6-5 on the season, 3-2 at home and 3-3 on the road. The Lakers next game is November 14th at 7:30PM against the McGill Redbirds at home at Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens.
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