Lakers take charge during Game 2 of NMU series to salvage split
SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State turned the tables on Northern Michigan after getting outplayed during Friday's opening game of the Cappo Cup series. The Lakers took charge at the opening faceoff of Saturday's rematch at Taffy Abel Arena and fought their way to a 3-1 victory. They claimed their first Central Collegiate Hockey Association victory of the season.
Domenic Monardo had a goal and an assist to lead the Lakers (3-5-2 overall, 1-4-1 CCHA), who improved to 3-2-1 in their last six outings after getting off to a 0-3-1 start.
Rookie Kyle Jean opened the scoring with his first collegiate goal, which was a 4-for-4 goal scored while the Lakers were killing off a five-minute major. He scored at 5:26 of the second period. Monardo assisted on the goal.
LSSU scoring leader Rick Schofield extended his point streak to seven games by making it 2-0 with an even-strength goal at 11:18 of the middle stanza. Zach Trotman and Matt Bruneteau drew assists. Trotman went into the game tied for second in the CCHA in points by defensemen, while Schofield was tied for third in overall points.
NMU's Justin Florek cut the lead to 2-1 with a power-play goal at 12:32 of the second period. It was the only power-play goal of the game as the Wildcats finished 1-for-4 with the man-advantage and the Lakers were 0-for-4.
Monardo answered at 13:11 to regain the Lakers' two-goal cushion. Fred Cassiani and Dillin Stonehouse had assists.
LSSU freshman goaltender Kevin Kapalka totaled 21 saves and improved his record to 2-1-1. NMU rookie goalie Jared Coreau (2-2-1) had 30 saves.
Northern Michigan (3-5-1 overall, 3-3-0 CCHA) leads the Cappo Cup total-goals series, 5-4, heading into Game 3, which is slated for Feb. 4 in Marquette.
