Lakers head to No. 9 Michigan
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Lake Superior State takes a three-game win streak into this weekend’s Central Collegiate Hockey Association series at No. 9 Michigan.
The Lakers are 5-5-2 overall, 3-4-1-0 in the CCHA and are tied with Ferris State for sixth place in the league standings following last weekend’s 1-0 and 4-0 victories over the Bulldogs. Michigan sits in second place with a record of 6-3-3 overall and 5-2-1-0 in the CCHA.
LSSU recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time since March 11-12, 1994, when goaltender Blaine Lacher and the Lakers defeated Ohio State, 5-0 and 8-0. Freshman netminder Kevin Kapalka recorded both shutout victories against FSU. Against CCHA competition, Kapalka (4-1-1 overall, 3-0-1 CCHA) leads the league in goals against average at 0.74, save percentage at .974, and win percentage at .875.
The Lakers are 5-2-1 during their last eight games, but have lost 11 straight to U-M. The Wolverines lead the all-time series against LSSU, 55-46-6, including a 4-0 record in 2009-10. In Ann Arbor, U-M leads the all-time series, 26-18-3.
Last season, Michigan defeated LSSU, 5-1 and 6-3, at the Taffy Abel Arena. Michigan swept Lake State in the first round of the CCHA playoffs at Yost Arena, 5-2 and 6-0.
LSSU returns four point grabbers from last year’s regular-season series. Senior forwards Tyson Hobbins and Will Acton (1-7—8, 2010-11), and junior forward Fred Cassiani (2-1—3, 2010-11) notched two points each. Senior forward Chad Nehring (3-0—3, 2010-11) netted one goal for the Lakers. Michigan returns 12 of the 15 point scorers from that series.
The last time LSSU defeated Michigan on the road was Feb. 10, 2006. The Lakers defeated Michigan 3-2 in overtime, and have lost seven straight to the Wolverines at Yost since then.
Sophomore forward Domenic Monardo leads the Lakers in overall points with 7-6—13. He is tied for seventh in point scoring against CCHA opponents with eight and tied for second in goal scoring with five. Michigan’s Carl Hagelin (5-8—13) leads U-M in overall points and is fourth in CCHA points.
Yost Arena staff announced guidelines for fans attending the games at Michigan. Purses and bags bigger than 8.5 inches wide by 11 inches long by 8.5 inches high will not be permitted. All items carried into Yost Ice Arena are subject to inspection. Exceptions for medical reasons will be addressed individually at the door.
Friday’s game will be broadcast live on Comcast and on the NHL Network locally. Friday’s game begins at 7:38 p.m., and Saturday’s contest will start at 7:35 p.m.
The LSSU Alumni Association is hosting a post-game social Friday at Damon’s Sports Bar on 3150 Boardwalk St., Ann Arbor, MI. The cost is $5 at the door or free to dues-paying alumni association members. An informal pre-game reception is Saturday at Buffalo Wild Wings on 205 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI. To RSVP, call 906-635-6219 or email alumnirelations@lssu.edu.
It’s also LSSU Alumni Night at the Pistons-Wizards basketball game at 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $35 for LSSU students and dues-playing members and $40 for all other alumni and Laker fans. The event includes lower level seats, an exclusive Club 53 reception, appetizers and a Laker t-shirt. To purchase Pistons tickets online, go to: http://alumni.lssu.edu/events/pistonssocial.php
