Queen's Men's Hockey hit the ice in North Bay on Saturday for an afternoon rematch against the Nipissing Lakers, their second clash of the season, and it delivered edge-of-your-seat action from the opening puck drop.
The Gaels struck first, as Ante Zlomislic (Applied Science) pounced on a loose rebound in the crease and buried it to open the scoring, with Liam Tanner (Kinesiology) and Nathan Ribau (Arts & Sciences) setting up the play. Nipissing quickly flipped the momentum, answering with two quick goals to grab a 2–1 lead heading into the second period.
The Lakers added to their advantage early in the second, making it 3–1, but Queen's responded with urgency. William Bouwer (Arts & Sciences) tapped home a slick feed from Derek Hamilton (Arts & Sciences), with Liam Tanner earning the secondary assist, pulling the Gaels within one. Nipissing, however, regained control moments later, restoring their two-goal cushion.
Coming out of the second intermission, Queen's intensified their attack. Thomas Sirman (Arts & Sciences) fired his first OUA goal from in tight, assisted by Cameron Tolnai (Business) and Kolton Cousins (Arts & Sciences), cutting the deficit to one. Momentum fully swung in the Gaels' favour when Sebbie Johnson (Arts & Sciences) wired a shot over the goalie's top-right shoulder, finishing off a precise feed from Liam Tanner, who recorded his third point of the night. Lucas Peric (Economics) earned the secondary assist, tying the game and sending it to overtime.
Overtime delivered instant drama. Just 2:24 in, Johnson struck again, ripping a blistering shot past the Nipissing net minder to cap off the comeback. His second goal of the night secured a 5–4 overtime victory and sent the Gaels home with a thrilling win.
Queen's Men's Hockey returns in the new year with a marquee showdown at home, hosting the Ottawa Gee-Gees at the Memorial Centre on January 9. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m., and the Gaels will look to make a statement and climb the East Division standings. Don't miss the action as Queen's aims to carry this momentum forward.
