Lakers take a point from No. 1 Miami

OXFORD, Ohio – Lake Superior State (2-4-2-0 overall, 0-3-1-0 Central Collegiate Hockey Association) came back from two one-goal deficits to tie the No. 1-ranked Miami Redhawks, 2-2, Saturday at Steve Cady Arena. Miami outscored LSSU in the shootout, 3-2.

Miami scored first at 13:51 of the first period with a goal from Reilly Smith. The Lakers tied the game at one a piece with a goal from senior forward Chad Nehring (3-0--3), assisted by freshman forward Nick Shkreli (0-1—1). Shkreli’s assist gave him his first career collegiate point.

The Redhawks netted a goal at the 24-second mark of the second period, giving them a 2-1 lead. Carter Camper netted the goal from Smith.

With only seven seconds left in the third period, LSSU pulled goaltender Kevin Kapalka in favor of an extra attacker and scored a game-tying power-play goal. Senior defender Matt Cowie (4-0--4) scored the goal on an assist from senior forward Rick Schofield (3-7--10).

After 60 minutes of play, LSSU and Miami headed into overtime, and neither team was able to capitalize.

LSSU’s sophomore forwards Domenic Monardo and Ben Power both scored for LSSU during the shootout. Miami’s Smith, Camper, and Max Cook netted goals to secure the extra point.

Kapalka made 30 saves, including 10 in the third period and four during the first overtime. Redhawks goalie Connor Knapp made 23 saves, including nine in the second period and one during the first overtime.

The Lakers were 1-for-4 with the man-advantage and held Miami to 0-for-1. The RedHawks (5-1-2 overall, 3-0-0-1 CCHA) went into Saturday's game ranked third nationally in scoring margin (+2.71) and tied for second in average goals per game (5.0).

LSSU returns home Nov. 5-6 to play Upper Peninsula rival Northern Michigan at 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Taffy Abel Arena. The theme of the series is "Yooper Weekend."