Lakers head to OSU for final regular-season road series

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Lake Superior State, which was winless on the road until mid-December, is 3-1-0 during its last three road games heading into its final regular-season road series this weekend at Ohio State.

The Lakers (10-12-8 overall, 8-9-7-4 Central Collegiate Hockey Association) play Ohio State (14-15-2 overall, 9-13-2-2 CCHA) at 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Value City Arena. Both games will be broadcast live on Yes-FM 99.5.

The Lakers, who have a season road record of 4-8-1, are in a three-way tie with Northern Michigan and Alaska for sixth place in the CCHA with 35 points. The Buckeyes sit in ninth place, just four points behind LSSU.

The Lakers leads the all-time series, 70-54-9, but OSU leads on its home ice, 29-28-5. Last season, LSSU split one-goal decisions with the Buckeyes at home, winning 3-2 and losing 4-3. The last time the Lakers traveled to Columbus, Ohio, was Oct. 17-18, 2008, where LSSU again split, winning 7-3 and losing 4-2.

Senior forward Chad Nehring (6-3—9) led the Lakers with 2-1---3 last season against the Buckeyes and has a career total of 4-2—6 when playing OSU. Sergio Somma (16-12—28) led the Buckeyes last season with two goals.

Senior forward Rick Schofield (12-16—28) continues to lead the Lakers in points, while senior John Albert (11-21—32) leads Ohio State.

Schofield (3-6--9) and sophomore forward Domenic Monardo (4-5--9) are tied for sixth in the CCHA in power-play points, while senior defenseman Matt Cowie (1-7--8) is tied for 10th.

Freshman goaltender Kevin Kapalka (9-7-7-4) is third in the CCHA in save percentage (.931), fourth in goals-against average (1.96), and sixth place in winning percentage (.553) when playing against league opponents. He is tied for 14^th nationally in save percentage (.923).

When the Lakers tied Alaska 2-2 last Friday, they tied their single-season school record for ties at eight. They are 4-2-4 since the mid-season break.

Going into this weekend’s road series, the CCHA has two series that can help the Lakers. Tenth place Michigan State is at Alaska and first place Notre Dame is at fifth place Ferris State.