Lakers score six early to beat Broncos

SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State scored six goals during the first 24 minutes of Friday's Central Collegiate Hockey Association game at Taffy Abel Arena and went on to beat Western Michigan 7-4.

WMU (9-17-7 overall, 6-13-6-2 CCHA) and LSSU (10-15-8 overall, 7-12-6-2 CCHA) entered the series in ninth and 10th place, respectively, in the league standings. With the win, the Lakers vaulted ahead of the Broncos and remained in contention for a top-eight CCHA finish.

Nathan Perkovich and Dan Barczuk both contributed a goal and two assists to lead LSSU. Seven different players scored for the Lakers.

Perkovich, Barczuk and Josh Sim tallied even-strength goals to give Lake Superior State a 3-0 lead in the first period. Kyle Haines, Zac MacVoy and Carter Lee made it 6-0 with three goals during a 1:43 span early in the second period. MacVoy's goal was a power-play marker, while Lee's was his first of the season.

As LSSU ended a four-game losing streak, several players snapped goal-scoring droughts. Barczuk and Sim both scored their first goal in seven games. Chad Nehring, who ended the Bronco's comeback surge by scoring the Lakers' seventh goal at 10:09 of the third period, tallied his first goal in nine games.

Prior to Nehring's goal, Western Michigan scored four goals during a 6:37 span early in the third period, cutting LSSU's lead to 6-4. WMU was 2-for-2 on the power play during that stretch and 2-for-5 for the game. LSSU was 1-for-4 with the man advantage for the night.

In addition to Perkovich and Barczuk, LSSU's Fred Cassiani also contributed two assists. Troy Schwab, Brad Cooper, Simon Gysbers, John Scrymgeour, Will Acton and goaltender Pat Inglis had one assist each.

Inglis totaled 16 saves and earned the win, but was replaced by Brian Mahoney-Wilson after Bronco Patrick Galivan scored WMU's fourth goal at 9:28 of the third period. Mahoney-Wilson, making his first appearance since suffering an injury at Bowling Green State on Jan. 24, stopped all five shots during the final 10:32.

WMU starting goaltender Riley Gill was pulled after MacVoy made it 5-0 at 3:39 of the second period. Gill totaled 13 saves, while Jerry Kuhl allowed two goals and had 17 saves during the final 36:21.

Galivan had a goal and an assist, and Max Campbell added two assists to lead the Broncos.

LSSU out-shot WMU, 37-25.

LSSU plays its final regular-season home game at 7:05 p.m. Saturday against WMU. Following the game, Laker fans will pay tribute to seniors Schwab, Sim, Lee and Steven Oleksy.

Box Score