WHKY | Despite Season High 51 Shots, Voyageurs Drop Game 1
February 22, 2017
On Wednesday night, the Voyageurs women's hockey team lost the first game of the first round of playoffs against the Nipissing Lakers, 5-2.
The intensity was present from the first faceoff as both sides were relentless on the defensive side of the puck. However, despite the Vees outshooting the Lakers 14-8, the first period ended in a scoreless draw.
The Lakers wasted little time breaking the tie in the second period, as Jade Gauthier scored at 1:04, giving Nipissing the lead. The Lakers scored again in the dying seconds of the second period as Brooklyn Irwin scored at 19:55, doubling the Lakers' lead. Despite being down 2-0, the Vees were out shooting the Lakers 27-21 after 40 minutes.
The Lakers again got on the board early in the third, as Laura McKenzie scored just 13 seconds in, giving the Lakers a 3-0 lead. The Voyageurs started to climb back into the game with 11:37 left in the game, when Sara Habal scored on the power play to cut the lead to 3-1. Seconds later, at 11:59, Emma Leger scored to bring the Vees within just one goal.
Unfortunately, that would be as close as the Voyageurs would get. The Lakers would add two more goals before the final buzzer, for a final score of 5-2. Despite the score, both teams set the tone for this first round playoff matchup. Both teams travel back to Sudbury for game two at Countryside Arena on Saturday night at 7:20pm.
If you can't make it to the rink, be sure to tune in to www.oua.tv for what promises to be a great playoff matchup.