Lakers vs. WMU
Lakers hockey faces Michigan in first round of playoffs
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - Lake Superior State takes the ice against the University of Michigan in the first round of Central Collegiate Hockey Association Playoffs. LSSU and Michigan will play a best-of-three series beginning Friday at the Yost Ica Arena.
The Lakers (15-16-5 overall, 10-15-3-2 CCHA) ended their regular season in 10th place in the CCHA standings. Michigan (19-17-1 overall, 14-13-1-0 CCHA) is seeded seventh.
The Last time Michigan and LSSU faced off in the first round of CCHA Playoffs was during the 2001-02 season. The Wolverines defeated the 12th-seeded Lakers two games to one.
This season, the Wolverines swept a series played at the Taffy Abel Arena. Michigan defeated the Lakers 5-1 and 6-3. Senior forward Brad Cooper (4-3-7), junior forwards Chad Nehring (12-5-17) and Will Acton (10-14-24), and sophomore forward Fred Cassiani (5-9-14) netted goals for the Lakers during the series.
LSSU and Western Michigan are the only two CCHA teams U-M has swept in 2009-10.
Senior defender Simon Gysbers leads the Lakers in career playoff points. Gysbers compiled 4-5-9 in his last three playoff appearances. Senior defenseman Steven Kaunisto and junior forward Matt Cowie are second in playoff points with 2-3-5.
The last time LSSU advanced from the first round of CCHA Playoffs was during the 2006-07 season, and the Lakers had a conference record of 11-14-3 that season. In 2009-10, LSSU enters the playoffs with a league record of 10-15-3. Over the last five years LSSU has a playoff record of 6-9-0.
Tickets are available by calling 734-764-0247 or 866-296-6849 and online at www.mgoblue.com. Ticket prices are $25 and $23 for players' parents and $19 for fans. There is a $7 processing fee per phone order. Online prices are the same, plus the $7 fee and an additional $3 fee per order.
Catch live Laker radio coverage on 99.5 Yes FM starting at 7:35 p.m. each night. The pre-game show will start one hour prior to the puck drop. Friday's game will be televised on Comcast Local, and Fox Sports Detroit will televise Saturday's contest.
Other CCHA first round playoff pairings include: Notre Dame at Ohio State, Bowling Green at Nebraska-Omaha, and Western Michigan at Alaska. Miami, Michigan State, Ferris State and Northern Michigan all received first round byes.
