NORTH BAY, Ont. (January 28, 2011) - The Queen's Gaels could not capitalize on a strong first period and fell behind in the second as they dropped a 5-2 score to the Nipissing Lakers.
The Gaels outshot the Lakers by a 12-9 mark in the first period on the strength of four power plays, but could not find a way past Matt Hache of Guelph, Ont., who held up in goal for the Lakers.
The Lakers struck early in the second to give themselves a lead on a goal from Josh McKinnon of Brackley Beach, P.E.I. The Gaels would reply on the power play marker from
Patrick McEachen of Stouffville, Ont., but that would be as close as the Gaels got as Nipissing would score two goals before the period expired.
Nipissing was first on the board once again during the third period. Brodie Beard of South Porcupine, Ont., scored his second goal of the game on the power play just over three minutes into the period. Nipissing added one more goal before the Gaels scored their second goal of the game when Toronto's Daniel Mendel put the puck past Hache.
The goals scored by McEachen and Mandel were their second and third goals of the season respectively.
Joey Derochie of Sudbury, Ont., and
Jordan Mirwaldt of Winnipeg, each had an assist on McEachen's goal. As a result, Derochie sits first on the Gaels in points with 22 while Mirwaldt is tied for second with 21.
Steele De Fazio of Georgetown, Ont., stopped 34 of 39 shots in goal for the Gaels. The loss snaps a three game win streak held by the Gaels going into tonight's game in North Bay.
The Gaels will look to win the season series against Nipssing tomorrow in a rematch between the two teams. The Gaels took the first game between these two clubs at the Memorial Centre in Kingston by a 3-2 score in a shootout. Puck drop is set for 2:00 pm on Saturday January 29 at the Memorial Gardens.
