Lakers Athletics

The race for the coveted third place spot in the OUA East men's hockey standings got a lot tighter with the Toronto Varsity Blues' 2-1 win over the Nipissing Lakers, Saturday night.

The loss ends Nipissing's five-game winning streak.

The Varsity Blues (14-8-3) move to within three points of the Lakers (15-7-4), with Toronto holding a game in hand and also facing last-place RMC twice in their final three games.

Toronto's Byron Elliot scored twice on the power play to give the Varsity Blues a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes. The Lakers' Kevin Flather cut the lead to 2-1 late in the third period but after a late Toronto penalty and goalie Daniel Spence pulled for the extra attacker, the Lakers could not find the equalizer.

Nipissing played the game without captain Brodie Beard, who was injured in Friday's 9-3 win over the Ryerson Rams. As well, forward Doug Clarkson, who entered the game on a seven-game goal-scoring streak, was ejected in the second period with a game misconduct.

The Varsity Blues can pull within a point of Nipissing when they meet Ryerson Sunday afternoon.

The Lakers have two games remaining, including a Friday night home game against Ryerson before finishing the regular season at Queen's next Saturday.