Lakers back in action

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Lake Superior State returns to the Taffy Abel Arena after a five-week break from Central Collegiate Hockey Association action. The Lakers (6-10-4 overall, 4-7-3-2 CCHA) play host to Michigan State (8-11-3 overall, 4-9-1-0 CCHA) at 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Before the mid-season holiday break, LSSU, Western Michigan and Ohio State were tied for seventh place in the CCHA. The Lakers are now sitting in ninth place in the CCHA with 17 points. Michigan State is four points behind the Lakers after last weekend’s split with Michigan.

Before the break, LSSU was 1-1-2 with two shootout victories during is last four CCHA matchups. The Lakers snapped an 18-game road winless streak with a 5-2 victory at Western Michigan on Dec. 10.

During the 2009-10 series between the Spartans and Lakers, the Lakers defeated MSU in a five-round shootout Jan. 9, 2010. The shootout victory was LSSU’s first of the 09-10 season. The Spartans captured the victory during game 1 of the series, 4-2.

LSSU returns seven point grabbers from last year’s series against the Spartans. Senior forward Rick Schofield led the Lakers with one goal and one assist. The Spartan return five point grabbers, including four who notched two or more points.

LSSU senior netminder Brian Mahoney-Wilson made a save during the 2009-10 series in East Lansing, Mich., that landed him on ESPN’s Top 10 Plays. Mahoney-Wilson is now out of the lineup with what appears to be a season-ending injury. Freshman goaltender Kevin Kapalka has filled in admirably. Against league opponents, he is third in the CCHA in goals-against average (1.88), first in save percentage (.940) and in sixth place in win percentage (4-3-3, .550).

The Spartans lead the all-time series, 66-31-12. At the Taffy Abel Arena, MSU leads 24-14-6. The Lakers are 3-5-0 during their last eight home games against Michigan State.

During their last four meetings with Michigan State, the Lakers outscored the Spartans, 11-9, and posted a 2-1-1-1 record. The four contests were part of regular-season series in January, 2009, and January, 2010. The Lakers swept the Spartans at home during the 2008-09 season to snap a 14-game winless streak against MSU.

MSU’s 2010-11 points leader Brett Perlini (12-8—20) is a Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., native, while sophomore forward Derek Grant is second with 3-16—19. MSU’s top goaltender is junior Drew Palmisano with a 2.87 GAA and .901 save percentage.

The Lakers’ point leader is sophomore Domenic Monardo (8-10—18), with linemate and senior captain Rick Schofield in second with 7-9—16. Sophomore forward Nick McParland is tied for second overall in the CCHA and tied for third against league opponents in game-winning goals with two.

The Lakers started 2011 with five exhibition win in Canada. LSSU beat Nipissing twice, and recorded single wins over the University of Ottawa, Ryerson and York. Eighteen Lakers had at least one point in the five games. Senior forward Rick Schofield (2-5—7) and freshmen forwards Kyle Jean (5-2—7) and Kellan Lain (3-4—7) all notched seven points for the Lakers.

While the Lakers drew the CCHA bye last weekend, Notre Dame swept Northern Michigan to overtake Miami for first place in the league standings. Sixth-place Ohio State pulled off a surprising sweep of the heavily-favored RedHawks. LSSU has at least two games in hand on seven league opponents.