Third annual Pink in the Rink includes LSSU vs. Colgate series

SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State takes a short break from Central Collegiate Hockey Association action to play this weekend’s non-conference home series against Colgate and take part in the third annual Pink in the Rink.

LSSU and Colgate play at 7:05 p.m. Friday and 5:05 p.m. Saturday at Taffy Abel Arena. Both games will be broadcast live on Yes-FM with a pay-per-view video feed on the B2 Network.

The concept and success of Pink in the Rink has grown enormously, just like the wave support from college and pro teams that have joined the battle against cancer. There’s Dig Pink (volleyball), Strike out Cancer (softball), WBCA Pink Zone initiative (basketball), Race for the Cure -- just to name a few. Most NFL teams are coated in pink this month.

Pink in the Rink is a bit different, however. It’s exclusively a local event supporting local women’s health organizations. More than $30,000 has been donated to those organizations during the past two years. A variety of local for-profit and not-for-profit vendors will have booths in Bud Cooper Gymnasium during the series and are donating gift baskets that will be raffled off, with all proceeds going to Pink in the Rink. All gift baskets are valued at $50 or more. Goody bags and other freebies, a silent auction, games for kids and pink snacks will also be part of the festivities. A free “Skate with the Lakers” will follow Saturday’s matinee game. It’s also Laker Hockey Parents Weekend.

LSSU (0-3-1 overall, 0-2-0 CCHA) is winless so far this season, but scoring goals in bunches, as expected. The impressive line of seniors Rick Schofield and Will Acton, along with sophomore Domenic Monardo has accounted for six of the Lakers’ 12 goals and 17 of their 31 points during the past four games. LSSU is ranked sixth in the CCHA in scoring, averaging 3.0 goals per game. At the other end of the ice, however, the Lakers hope to improve. They are ranked 11th in goals-allowed at 5.0 goals per game.

Colgate is 1-0-0 following a 3-1 victory over Army on Oct. 9 and last week’s 3-2 exhibition victory over Brock. The Raiders return last year’s leading scorer, Austin Smith, who totaled 16-25--41 as a freshman, along with No. 3 scorer Brian Day (21-15--36) and No. 4 scorer Francois Brisebois (15-10--25). In fact, six of their top seven scorers return from a team that finished 15-15-6 overall and fourth in the ECAC. Last year, Colgate was 4-1-1 to close out the regular season, then was swept by St. Lawrence during the quarterfinal round of the ECAC Playoffs.

LSSU and Colgate last met in January, 2009, in Hamilton, N.Y. Schofield, Acton and Chad Nehring combined to score six goals during the series split. The last time the Raiders traveled to Sault Ste. Marie was in October, 2005, and the Lakers took three of four points. Colgate leads the overall series, 6-2-1, including a 3-0-1 record in games decided in overtime.

Note: Pink in the Rink t-shirts will go on sale beginning Thursday at the Norris Center Ticket Office, Leitz Sports Center and Pro Sports.