Lakers head to another shootout

SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State leads the Central Collegiate Hockey Association in ties and shootouts after skating to a second straight overtime tie with Northern Michigan on Saturday at Taffy Abel Arena.

After the teams were tied 2-2 through regulation and the first overtime, NMU (3-10-3 overall, 2-9-3-2 CCHA) blanked the Lakers 2-0 in the shootout to finish with four points for the series. The Lakers (4-6-6 overall, 3-4-5-1 CCHA) dropped to 1-4 in CCHA shootouts and 1-5 in shootouts against all opponents.

LSSU, which garnered two points in the series, suffered its third shootout loss in as many games. The Lakers are quickly closing in on their school records of seven overall and six CCHA ties.

LSSU's Pat Aubry scored his first goal of the season at 2:35 of the first period to give the Lakers an early 1-0 lead. Tyson Hobbins took the initial shot from the far end of the circle and Aubry capitalized with the deflection. Chad Nehring also had an assist.

NMU's Mark Olver scored the first of his two power-play goals at 9:36 of the first period. He gave the Wildcats a 2-1 lead at 7:10 of the second period. Phil Fox and Nick Sirota assisted on both goals as NMU's power play finished 2-for-4 for the game.

Troy Schwab punched in the game-tying goal at 15:57 of the third period as Steven Kaunisto drew the only assist.

LSSU had chances to put the game away in regulation and overtime, but came up empty during power plays that started at 17:06 of the third period and 3:30 of the extra session. The Lakers were 0-for-7 with the man-advantage for the game.

Olver and Erik Gustafsson scored shootout goals for the Wildcats. NMU goaltender Devan Hartigan stopped Laker Chad Nehring's shootout attempt, and Zac MacVoy hit the post.

Hartigan totaled 27 saves, while Brian Mahoney-Wilson had 21 saves for the Lakers.

LSSU plays host to Nebraska-Omaha at 7:05 p.m. on Dec. 12 and 13.