SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich.- After ending in a draw with Alabama-Huntsville in the series opener Friday night, Lake Superior State dropped the second game of the series 3-1 Saturday at Taffy Abel Arena.

The Lakers (7-23-2 overall, 6-17-1 Western Collegiate Hockey Association) were unable to find their stride offensively in the series, posting just two goals for the second straight weekend series. It was their fifth consecutive one-goal game.

The Lakers gave the starting nod to freshman goaltender Gordon Defiel (7-21-2), who posted 21 saves. LSSU out-shot UAH, 26-24.

Carmine Guerriero (8-11-3) propelled the Chargers (8-18-4 overall, 7-16-1 WCHA) to their first win in their last six games. The sophomore goaltender posted 25 saves with his only blemish coming 43 seconds into the second period as Gus Correale (3-5--8) scored a short-handed goal on a feed from Stephen Perfetto (8-6--14), who intercepted a pass in the offensive zone.

The Chargers responded in the second frame with a goal by Doug Reid. The goal was the second of the season for Reid, who received a lead pass from Jack Prince (5-9--14) that slipped him past a regrouping Laker defense.

The teams went to the second intermission tied 1-1 with the Chargers leading in shots 17-16.

Eight and 1/2 minutes into the final frame, the Chargers' Max McHugh (8-10-18) scored their go-ahead goal on a power play set up by a holding call against Jayson Angus (0-1--1) at 8:19 of the third. McHugh buried a rebound from a shot by Prince, who recorded his second assist of the evening, and Brandon Parker collected his 11th assist of the season on the goal.

With Defiel pulled in favor of the extra attacker, the Lakers added quality shots on Guerriero in the waning minutes. Guerriero was up to the task, turning all of the tying attempts away.

As the final seconds ticked away, Brent Fletcher (2-5--7) blocked an attempt by LSSU's Eric Drapluk (3-5--8) and flipped it over the heads of the Lakers' blue liners and three-quarters of the way down the ice into the empty net with three seconds remaining.

The Lakers ended the night 0-for-7 on the power play. The Chargers converted one of their six attempts on the advantage.

The Lakers will head to the bye week in the eighth spot among WCHA teams eligible for the conference playoffs. Following the bye, the Lakers travel to Northern Michigan Feb. 27-28 before returning home for the season finale March 6-7 against Ferris State.

Video interview with Head Coach Damon Whitten

Video interview with Gus Correale

Video interview with Gordon Defiel

Photo Credit: Helena Wollan