Courtesy: Murray McCombNORTH BAY, Ont. - The Nipissing Lakers scored three unanswered goals in the final 16 minutes of the third period in a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the visiting Ryerson Rams on Friday night.
A win Friday night would have secured a berth in the post-season for Ryerson. The Rams still have a chance to make the playoffs; however, it is out of their control. A Queen's loss to Nipissing or a Concordia loss to Carleton on Saturday will put the Rams in the playoffs.
The Rams finish the regular season with a 13-12-3 record and 29 points. The 13 victories ties the Ryerson mark for wins in a season set by the 1988-89 Rams, who were 13-12-1. The 29 points is the most recorded in a single season by the Rams. This is also the first time in 23 years that the team has posted a winning record.
Greg Riggs opened the scoring Friday two minutes into the contest with his third of the season. Nipissing's Lucas McKinley would tie the game just two minutes later. T.J. Battani scored a minute into the middle frame as the Rams led 2-1 after 40 minutes.
Captain Andrew Buck would score his 10th of the season just 47 seconds into the third period as the Rams went up 3-1. Nipissing's Doug Clarkson, with his 16th of the year, made it a one-goal game four minutes later. Conor O'Donnell tied the contest with a shorthanded marker at the 6:16 mark before Kevin Flather completed the Lakers comeback with a minute and a half to go in regulation time.
Troy Passingham stopped 38 of 42 shots for Ryerson, while Nipissing's Daniel Spence saved 29 of 32 shots. The Rams were 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Lakers went o-for-4 with the man advantage.
