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Cullen Maksimowski, LSSULakers.com
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich.— The Lake Superior State hockey team will head west this weekend as it takes on rival Northern Michigan in two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association tilt inside the Wildcats' Berry Events Center.
The Lakers enter this weekend's matchup with 6-16-4 record overall this season and a 4-11-3 mark in the WCHA. The Wildcats are 13-10-3, 11-5-2
Last Time Out:
LSSU came away with a much needed 5-3 victory over Ferris State at home last Saturday after being shut out in the series opener, 4-0.
Gage Torrel, Jake Hand, Anthony Nellis, Kyle Chatham and Brayden Gelsinger notched goals in the Saturday's win. Chatham's third period goal from the point broke a 3-3 deadlock to win it for Lake State.
Scouting the Wildcats:
NMU enters this weekend coming off a home sweep over, then No.14-ranked, Bowling Green. The Wildcats took down the Falcons 5-2 on Friday and won in overtime on Saturday, 3-2.
NMU boasts the No.3 scoring offense in the conference this season averaging 3 goals per game. Their 2.33 goals allowed average also ranks third in the league.
Forwards Troy Loggins and Adam Rockwood share the team lead with 25 points this season. Loggins is the leading goal scorer with 11 and Rockwood ranks No.2 in the WCHA with 15 assists in league action.
Junior goaltender Atte Tolvanen leads the team in the net with 418 saves and a .907 save percentage on the year.
Laker Leaders:
J.T. Henke has been Lake State's offensive catalyst this season with a team-leading 23 points so far. Henke's 17 points in WCHA play ranks No.10 in the conference.
Junior forward Max Humitz has been the leading goal scorer for the Lakers so far with 10 total goals (6 in the WCHA). Anthony Nellis is second with eight goals on the year.
Junior Nick Kossoff has been the leader in between the pipes this season owning a 5-8-2 record with 481 saves for a .909 percentage.
WCHA Standings:
Lake State will need a strong finish in the last 10 games of the regular season to secure a spot in the post season. They currently sit in 9th place in the league standings with 15 points.
With 37 points in league action, Northern Michigan has moved up to second place in the WCHA standings trailing Minnesota State-Mankato (45 points).
On The Horizon:
The Lakers return to Taffy Abel Jan.26-27 as they wrap up their 2017-18 home schedule with a conference series against Bowling Green.
Upcoming Promotions:
• Check Slash Survive- Cancer awareness night (1/27/18)
• Senior Night (1/27/18)
Tickets:
Tickets to all remaining LSSU hockey games can be purchased in advance by visiting the Norris Center Ticket Office or online at lssulakers.com/tickets. For additional ticket information call the office at 906-635-2602.