Portland, Maine - Lake Superior State dropped their second game to start the season, falling to Michigan State 4-1 in the final game for either team at the 19th annual Ice Breaker Tournament. The Lakers open the season 0-2-0 for the second-straight season after opening last season with a pair of home losses against Western Collegiate Hockey Association rivals Michigan Tech.
The Lakers (0-2-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) had trouble finding the back of the net due to the spectacular play of Jake Hildebrand. Hildebrand produced 30 saves while leading the Spartans to the decisive victory and picking up his first win of the season .
The Spartans (1-0-1, 0-0-0 Big Ten) opened the scoring 14:23 into the first period on the stick of Michael Ferrantino. Ferrantino's first goal of the season was assisted by freshman Zach Osburn, who scored a pair of goals against Maine on Friday in his first collegiate game, and junior J.T. Stenglein.
The Lakers answered shortly before the end of the opening period with Gage Torrel's first career goal as a Laker. Torrel (1-0--1) received a centering pass from Gus Correale (0-1--1) and fired it past the sprawling Hildebrand.
The goal by Torrel was all the Lakers could muster on Hildebrand, who proved why he is regarded as one of the top goaltenders in college hockey.
The teams went to the initial intermission knotted at one goal apiece. Following the first period, the Spartans led in the shots column 11-5.
MSU found the back of the net again in the second period to take a 2-1 lead with 8:06 remaining in the middle frame. The goal by Mackenzie MacEachern, his first of the season, was the only power-play goal for either team in a game marred by penalties.
The Spartans went 1-for-7 on the power play and the Lakers were blanked in their seven attempts with the extra attacker.
The Lakers outshot the Spartans 15-12 in the second period, despite allowing the only goal of the period.
The Spartans added some insurance 13 seconds into the final period with a goal by John Draeger. Draeger's first goal of the season helped secure the Spartans' victory that Hildebrand eventual cemented with his confident play in net.
Defiel played the entirety of the game for the Lakers and made 27 saves on the evening. Defiel has now given up four goals in back-to-back starts to open the season.
The Lakers look to bounce back with a non-conference home-and-home tilt next weekend against Upper Peninsula rival Northern Michigan. The Lakers and Wildcats will play Friday night in Marquette before returning to Taffy Abel Arena on Saturday night as part of Great Lake State Weekend. Tickets for Saturday's game go to http://lssutickets.universitytickets.com/, or call the ticket office at 906-635-2602.
