SAULT STE. MARIE – Lake Superior State fell 3-2 in overtime of Saturday night's series finale against Arizona State. The Lakers were able to tie the game in the final minute of regulation but ultimately surrendered the game-winning goal in the overtime frame in front of a crowd of 1,977 fans.
Nick Kossoff (1-3-0) made the start in net for the Lakers (2-8-2, 0-2-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association) and was tagged with the loss. Kossoff made 28 saves but allowed the game-winning goal to Jordan Masters with 32 seconds left in overtime.
Ryland Pashovitz stood strong between the pipes for the Sun Devils (5-6-0), making 34 saves in the winning effort.
The Sun Devils opened the scoring 4:57 minutes into the game with a shot by Charlie Zuccarini that squeaked past Kossoff on the short side. Liam Norris was credited with the lone assist on Zuccarini's opening marker.
Diego Cuglietta (1-3--4) answered with his first goal as a Laker with 11:29 remaining in the second period. Owen Headrick (2-2--4) picked up his second point of the series with an assist. Gage Torrel (2-4--6) also picked up an assist on the tying tally.
Ryan Stevens was credited for putting ASU up 2-1 late in the middle frame with a clearing attempt by a Laker player that was redirected off of a Laker defensemen and past an unsuspecting Kossoff. The goal came during a delayed penalty call in which Pashovitz was at the bench in favor of an extra attacker.
The Lakers fought back and were eventually rewarded with the tying goal with just 52 seconds remaining in regulation. Gus Correale (1-3--4) scored his first goal of the season and second point of the weekend on a breakout play sprung by Anthony Nellis. The assist was Nellis' third assist of the series.
Kossoff was also credited with an assist, his first collegiate point.
With 32 seconds remaining in the overtime period Masters secured the sweep for ASU with the game-winning goal. Joey Raats and Joe Lappin notched the assists on the game winner. For Raats, the assist marked his second assist of the weekend. Lappin's assist marked his third point of the series.
LSSU went 2-6 on the power play for the game while the Sun Devils were unsuccessful in four opportunities, despite Stevens' goal on the delayed penalty.
All four of the Lakers goals during the series came on the power play.
Tonight's tilt marked the fourth time in six contests that the Lakers and their oppenents needed an overtime period to determine the final score. The Lakers are now 0-2-2 in overtime games this season.
The Lakers resume WCHA play next weekend when they travel to Bemidji State for a weekend series Nov. 20-21. The Beavers are coming off of a series split with Alaska following a 6-3 win Saturday evening.
