Lakers open 2012 with exhibition game against Western Ontario

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Lake Superior State opens 2012 with an exhibition game at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday against Western Ontario. The Lakers are coming off last week’s split at the Sheraton/TD Bank Catamount Cup in Burlington, Vermont. The Lakers defeated Vermont 5-3 and lost 3-1 to Rochester Institute of Technology. They are tuning up for this weekend’s trip to Michigan.

The Lakers are 12-8-2 overall and 7-6-1-1 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, heading into the exhibition game with Western Ontario. The Lakers lead the all-time series against Western Ontario, 12-3-0, including last year’s season-opening 5-4 loss to the Mustinga. All games have been held at the Taffy Abel Arena.

LSSU sits in fourth place in the CCHA since its last conference matchup on Dec. 9-10 – a home split against Northern Michigan. Western Ontario (13-1-2) is ranked third in the CIS men’s hockey rankings. The Mustangs are 0-2-0 against CCHA opponents and 0-5-0 against NCAA opponents during the 2011-12 season.

Junior forward Domenic Monardo (8-12—20 in 2011-12) led the Lakers last season with 2-1—3 against the Mustangs. Senior defensemen Kyle Haines (3-11—14 in 2011-12) and Kyle Pobur (1-1—2 in 2011-12) both netted a goal for the Lakers, while junior defenseman Zach Trotman (6-8—14 in 2011-12) and junior forward Ben Power (1-5—6 in 2011-12) each tallied an assist during the 2010-11 match-up.

Julian Cimadamore totaled 1-2—3 against LSSU last season. Seven other Mustangs contributed a single point.

Monardo leads the Lakers in points, while junior forward Nick McParland (10-6—16), who made the Catamount Cup All-Tournament team, is second. Keaton Turkiewicz leads the OUA and Western Ontario in points with 11-19—30.   

Catch the Laker action live on 99.5 Yes FM with a pre-game show starting at 6:30. The Lakers will resume CCHA play Jan. 6-7 at the University of Michigan.