Lakers find their scoring touch in Madison

MADISON, Wis. - Lake Superior State enjoyed its biggest scoring outburst since late October by beating Harvard 6-2 Saturday during the opening game of the 20th annual Badger Showdown held at the Kohl Center.

The line of Troy Schwab, Fred Cassiani and Zac MacVoy scored three goals and contributed to a power-play goal for LSSU (5-8-6 overall). The Lakers snapped a seven-game winless streak and improved to 3-2 all-time at the prestigious tournament.

With the loss, Harvard (4-7-2 overall) extended its winless streak to seven games. The Crimson have been outscored 25-7 while losing four in a row.

Schwab led the Lakers with four points on one goal and three assists, while Josh Sim and MacVoy had three points each. Sim scored two goals, and MacVoy notched three assists.

Simon Gysbers, Cassiani and Rick Schofield all contributed a goal and an assist. Schwab, a senior, and Cassiani, a freshman, continue to lead the Lakers in goals this season with eight each, while MacVoy leads in points with 7-10--17.

Schwab gave LSSU a 1-0 lead by scoring at 9:51 of the first period. Sim made it 2-0 with a power-play goal at 17:23, but Harvard answered with a goal by Alex Biega at 18:51.

Schofield tallied his second goal of the season at 10:28 of the second period, giving the Lakers a short-lived two-goal cushion. Harvard's Daniel Moriarty cut the lead to 3-2 by scoring 27 seconds later.

LSSU put the game out of reach when Gysbers and Cassiani scored 1:31 apart with approximately five minutes remaining in the second period.

Sim finished off the scoring with his second goal of the game at 11:53 of the third period.

Dillin Stonehouse and Acton added assists for the Lakers. 

Lake Superior State junior goaltender Pat Inglis totaled 25 saves to improve to 1-3-1 for the season. Harvard starting goaltender Matt Hoyle allowed five goals and had 12 saves through 35:39, while John Riley gave up one goal and totaled 11 saves during the final 24:08.

LSSU was 1-for-6 on the power play and held Harvard scoreless on five man-advantage opportunities. The Lakers, who have nine power-play goals this season, ended a five-game power-play scoring drought.

Six goals is the most scored by the Lakers since they beat Windsor 7-0 and the U.S. Under-18 Team 7-3 on Oct. 25-26.

Host Wisconsin defeated Alabama-Huntsville 5-0 in the other semifinal game. U-W, which is 10-1 in its last 11 games, will play the Lakers in the championship game at 8:07 p.m. EST on Sunday. The game will be televised on Fox Sports-Wisconsin and broadcast live on Rock 101.

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