FAIRBANKS, Alaska- Lake Superior State again fell behind 2-0 through two periods and dropped its second game of the weekend series at Alaska, 2-1.
The Lakers were again outshot by a Nanooks squad that posted 85 shots on the weekend. The Lakers managed 41 shots on Sean Cahill who backstopped both victories for Alaska while giving up just one goal each night.
In net for the Lakers (7-22-1, 6-16-0 Western Collegiate Hockey Association) was Gordon Defiel, who posted another hard-fought effort with 42 saves. Defiel (7-20-1) made 80 saves on 85 shots faced during the series.
Alaska (14-13-1, 9-12-1 WCHA) got the ball rolling early with a goal by Shawn Hochhausen at 10:19 of the first period. It was his fourth of the year and assisted by Zach Frye and Nolan Youngmun.
The Nanooks led the first period in shots, 13-10. The Lakers went 0-2 on the power play during the first period while the Nanooks were unsuccessful on their lone attempt.
With 10:19 remaining in the middle period, UAF senior Garrick Perry intercepted an errant pass by Eric Drapluk at the Lakers' own half of the neutral zone and shoveled it in past Defiel for an unassisted goal. It was Perry's sixth marker of the season.
For the second straight night, the Lakers failed to notch a goal until the third period. In game two it was Drapluk (3-5--8) picking the top-shelf above Cahill's shoulder and closing the Nanooks lead to 2-1. Drapluk's powerplay goal was set up by a give-and-go with Garret Clemment (3-3--6) after Clemment retrieved a shot by Stephen Perfetto (8-4--12) that was blocked.
The Lakers pulled Defiel with 80 seconds remaining in favor of the extra attacker. Freshman defender Ryan Renz (0-3--3) had what was probably the most fruitful opportunity for the Lakers with the extra attacker. Renz danced past a sprawling defender but his wrist shot was swallowed up by Cahill's with 34 seconds remaining. After the ensuing faceoff, Perry nearly added his second of the night for the Nanooks as his half-ice hustle play rang off the outside of the net. The Lakers scooped up the puck and gave one last effort up the ice with 12 seconds remaining but were unsuccessful.
The Lakers finished the game 1-for-4 on the power play while holding Alaska to 0-for-4.
The Lakers return home next weekend as they face the Chargers of Alabama-Huntsville in Taffy Abel Arena Feb. 13-14. During the series, LSSU concessions will be selling alcoholic beverages for the first time in Abel Arena for all adults 21 and over. Alcoholic beverages will also be sold during the final home series of the season March 6-7 against Ferris State. All alcohol sales will be on the second-floor concourse.
The Lakers and Chargers are tied for the eighth spot and are contending for one of the final two WCHA playoff berths. Alaska Anchorage, swept by Minnesota State this weekend, still sits 10th in the WCHA standings, two points behind the Lakers and Chargers.
Photo credit: Paul McCarthy