Lakers close out playoffs to UQTR

After a stunning upset over the champion McGill Redmen in the first round of the playoffs just over a week ago, the Nipissing Lakers hockey team are feeling the agony of defeat, as their season ended on Saturday in Quebec with a loss to the Universtité du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) les Patriotes.The 8-3 loss was the second in the best-of-two-game series for the Lakers, who dropped the opening game 3-1 in North Bay.
The Lakers came out strong, with Sean Ryan potting the game’s first goal early in first period.  The lead, however, was fleeting, as UQTR stormed back to tie it 19 seconds later.  Just 29 seconds later, UQTR bulged the twine again to take the lead.
The Lakers wouldn’t quit, bringing the score to 3-2 on a Kevin Rebelo goal, but UQTR kept rolling.
“For most of the time we didn't play bad,” said Nipissing Lakers head coach Mike McParland. “The game was a lot closer than the score reflected.”
With the game at 6-2 and the second period winding down, Nipissing’s Matt Paton scored to bring the Lakers to within 3 goals, but that was as close as they could get.
At the end of the second period, the Lakers held the advantage in shots on goal 27 to 23, despite spending 18 minutes in the penalty box, compared to UQTR's 10 minutes.
Despite the loss, the Lakers enjoyed another remarkable season with fantastic fan support.
Five players graduate from the Lakers this year: Jordan Gallea, Jason Gray, Sam Hopewell, Andrew Marcoux and Sean Ryan.