LSSU wins in shootout 2-1

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Lake Superior State (12-8-4, 7-7-2-1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association) and Michigan State (15-6-3, 10-3-3-0 CCHA) tied 3-3 through regulation Saturday, then the Lakers handed the Spartans their first shootout loss of the season.

The Lakers went on to clinch its first CCHA shootout win 2-1 in five rounds and ended MSU's six-game win streak. It was LSSU's first shootout win in 10 tries dating back to November, 2008. 

With just 57 seconds left in the first period, the Spartans took a 1-0 lead with a goal from Dustin Gazley, assisted by Andrew Rowe and Daultan Leveille

The Lakers scored the lone goal of the second period to tie the game at 1-1. Senior defenseman Steven Kaunisto (2-6--8) scored with assists going to junior forward Rick Schofield (11-10--21) and freshman forward Ben Power (3-11--14).

LSSU took the lead 2-1 at 2:36 of the third with a goal from forward Dan Barczuk (2-0--2) assisted by sophomore forward Kyle Haines (1-4--5) and junior forward Tyson Hobbins (2-4--6). MSU tied the game with a power-play goal scored by Rowe from Derek Grant and CoreyTroop.

Schofield gave the Lakers a 3-2 lead at 10:10 of the third with a shorthanded goal from junior forward Will Acton (5-10--15). The Spartans' Torey Krug answered at 17:02 of the third to tie the game at three a piece.

In the first round of the shootout, Dean Chelios gave MSU the 1-0 lead. He was the only MSU player to score in the shootout. MSU's Rowe, Brett Perlini, Grant and Mike Merrifield all missed the net. The Lakers' senior forward Zac MacVoy found the back of the net along with freshman forward Domenic Monardo, giving LSSU the 2-1 shootout victory. LSSU's Schofield, Acton and Chad Nehring were the other Laker shooters.

Junior goaltender Brian Mahoney-Wilson made 30 saves for the night, while Drew Palmisano stopped 32 Laker shots.

The Lakers held MSU to 1-for-7 on the power-play and went 0-for-4.

Lake Superior State, which is still fifth in the CCHA standings, will be back home against cluster opponent Nebraska-Omaha Jan. 15-16 at 7:05 p.m.

Lake Superior State University vs. Michigan State University