Lakers pull off 3-2 exhibition win
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - Lake Superior State fended off a late comeback by Mustangs of Western Ontario and won Tuesday's exhibition hockey game, 3-2. After falling behind 3-0 midway through the final period, UWO came within one goal of the Lakers by scoring a power-play goal with an extra-attacker with 1:06 remaining in regulation.
Sophomore Kellan Lain netted the Lakers' first goal of the game at 1:46 of the second peirod on assists from freshman forward Chris Ciotti and senior defenseman Kyle Haines. At 7:11 of the second, the Lakers took a 2-0 lead. Junior forward Ben Power scored from senior forward Kyle Pobur and freshman forward Andrew Dommett.
The Lakers were up 3-0 at 9:45 of the third period after senior forward Fred Cassiani netted a goal from Power and junior defenseman Zach Trotman.
Western Ontario, winless against six NCAA opponents this season but ranked third nationally in the Canadian collegiate poll, scored its first goal at 13:47. Adam Mckee was credited with the goal that cut LSSU's to 3-1.
LSSU received a penalty at 18:01 of the third, and the Mustangs' Keaton Turkiewich brought Western Ontario within one goal less than a minute later.
Helped by a UWO penalty with 29 seconds to go, LSSU held off the Mustangs' final threat to collect the exhibition win. Sophomore netminder Kevin Kapalka made 24 saves for the Lakers. Josh Unice and Alain Valiquette both stopped 20 shots on net for the Mustangs.
The Lakers were held to 0-for-3 on the power play, while Western Ontario was 1-for-3.
LSSU plays Friday and Saturday at Michigan. Friday's game will be televised live of Fox Sports-Detroit beginning at 7:30 p.m.
