The Nipissing Lakers women’s hockey team is now going to have to do it the hard way.
The Lakers dropped the first game of their best-of-three opening round series 4-2 to the Ryerson Rams yesterday afternoon at Memorial Gardens. Ryerson had few chances throughout the game, yet capitalized on them on their way to victory.
The Rams scored the lone goal of the first period to take the lead into the first intermission but Nipissing came out flying in the second, scoring two quick goals to grab a 2-1 advantage. Madison Solie blasted home her first career OUA goal to even things up and Taylor McManus gave the Lakers the lead just two minutes later. Brooklyn Irwin and Jetta Derenoski earned assists on Solie’s tally, with McManus’ coming unassisted.
Ryerson scored two of their own before the end of the period to once again hold a one-goal advantage.
Despite pressure in the third, the Lakers were unable to find the back of the net and the Rams sealed the win with an empty-net goal, making the final 4-2.
Jackie Rochefort finished with 20 saves, with the final shots reading 27-23 in Nipissing’s favour.
The teams will hit the ice for game two Friday night in Toronto at 7:15pm.
Game three, if necessary, will be played Sunday night at Memorial Gardens at 7:30pm.
