The Brock Badgers men's hockey team concluded a perfect weekend in North Bay, as they defeated the Nipissing Lakers 3-2 on Saturday, Feb. 3. 

With the win, the Brock Badgers men's hockey team clinched first place in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West Division. Third-year centre Tyler Burnie scored the game-winner for the Badgers,

The game opened up with plenty of back-and-forth action between the two teams, as it took over eight minutes of play to see the first whistle blown. Nipissing found the lead midway through the first period on a breakaway goal from Elvis Gorontzy-Slack. Minutes later, a turnover from the Lakers gave Brock a numbers advantage on the rush. Third-year forward Justin Brack found a trailing Zachary Taylor who would make no mistake from close, tying the game at one apiece.  

In the second period, a shot from the point by the Lakers found its way through traffic before beating a screened Connor Ungar, giving Nipissing the lead once again. The hosts would only hold the lead momentarily though as a rush chance from the Badgers saw second-year forward Ryan Stepien finding an open Brack, who lifted the puck past Lakers' goaltender Zach Roy. Throughout the back half of the second period, Brock  successfully killed off three penalties. 

Four minutes into the final frame, third-year winger Cole Tymkin sent the puck to Burnie on a wrap around pass with the latter giving the Badgers their first lead of the game. Having already scored a goal, Brack came close to scoring a second in the third period, with the puck hitting the crossbar. Chances came the other way for Nipissing, including a breakaway opportunity that Ungar turned away, keeping Brock in the lead. With the Lakers on the powerplay late in the game, a massive block from second-year defenseman Rylan Thiessen helped the Badgers close out the contest. 

Up next, the Brock Badgers (21-6-0) will host the Toronto Varsity Blues (16-11-0) at Canada Games Park in their final OUA regular season game on Friday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. Before the game, the graduating members of the team will be honoured in short ceremony. You can purchase tickets at https://brocku.universitytickets.com/ or watch the game on OUA.tv.