Cullen Maksimowski, LSSULakers.com

Nov.25, 2017

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich.—There was no shortage of offense inside Taffy Abel Arena Saturday as the Lake Superior State men's hockey team shutout the USA Hockey Under 18 National Development Program, 6-0, in the 'Thanksgining Family Feast' exhibition.

"Definitely some good things tonight," said Lake Superior coach Damon Whitten. "I thought we were really clean with our puck touches.

"It's a different game obviously with these young kids; a different type of tenacity and physicality. They're really intelligent, they get to your hands and you have to win foot races. I thought we did a good job with that aspect of it."

The Lakers lit the lamps right out of the gate when Junior forward Anthony Nellis found the back of the net just 1:51 into the contest. LSSU added another in the first when junior Gage Torrel scored at the 9:00 mark.

Nellis and Torrel each added another goal in the second period scoring at 9:46 and 19:59. Max Humitz and Bryan Basilico put the game out of reach in the third period with goals at 5:48 and 18:15.

"Definitly a confidence booster for (Torrel)," Whitten said. "He's played a lot this year, he's played well but hasn't gotten on the score sheet a lot so hopefully this game is a springboard for him."

Freshman goaltender Mareks Mitens notched the shutout for Lake State with a perfect 24-of-24 save night in between the pipes

"I thought (Mitens) was really good in the second period for us," said Whitten. "They had a strong push back and he made two or three really timely and big saves that kept that goal margin for us."

Lake Superior outshot the USNDP, 26-24, in the contest and were 1-of-5 on the power play. USNDP was 0-of-4.

The Lakers return to Western Collegiate Hockey Association competition next weekend as they welcome Alaska-Fairbanks (Dec.1-2) for a two-game series.

Ticket information can be found at lssulakers.com/ticket or call the ticket office at 906-635-2602.