Alaska steals split from Lakers in OT
SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State lost 3-2 in overtime to Alaska Saturday to split the Central Collegiate Hockey Association series with the 10th-ranked Nanooks.
The Lakers (6-7-1 overall, 3-6-1-0 CCHA) started off strong for the second straight night, scoring two goals in the first period. LSSU's freshman forward Ben Power scored his first goal as a Laker at 7:08 of the first. Junior defense Dillin Stonehouse collected his first point of the season by assisting on the goal. Just 2:39 later, junior forward Chad Nehring netted the second goal for the Lakers from senior forward John Scrymgeour and sophomore forward Fred Cassiani.
LSSU also built a 2-0 lead early Friday and held on to win, 4-3.
The Lakers and Nanooks (8-3-1 overall, 5-3-0-0 CCHA) were scoreless in the second period Saturday. Alaska was a player strong twice in the second with two power-play chances. The Lakers were held to just one power-play.
In the third period, Alaska's Dion Knelsen netted to goals. His first goal was at 1:04 from Nik Yaremchuk and Joe Sova. Knelsen's second goal of the game at 7:10 was assisted by Andy Taranto and Chad Gehon.
Alaska only took two shots in the overtime with Bryant Molle's proving to be the game-winner at 4:11. Yaremchuk and Taranto were credited with assists as UAF beat LSSU in Sault Ste. Marie for the first time since 2004.
LSSU outshot Alaska, 34-33. Brian Mahoney-Wilson, who is now 6-6-1 for the season, had 30 saves for the Lakers. Scott Greenham totaled 32 saves for the Nanooks.
LSSU and Alaska were both 0-for-4 on the power-play.
The Lakers will be back at the Taffy Abel Arena Dec. 11-12 to face off against Northern Michigan. LSSU and NMU are currently tied for seventh in the CCHA standings with 10 points each.
The Lakers travel to the RPI Tournament Thanksgiving weekend.
