Mike Barrett, LSSULakers.com

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — Wrapping up their Great Lake State Weekend (GLSW) series against the University of Michigan, the Lake Superior State hockey team, under head coach Damon Whitten was unable to carry their momentum from the previous night, as they fell 5-3 to the Wolverines.

A capacity crowd of 3,875 piled into the Taffy Abel Arena a night after the Lakers (5-1-0, 2-0-0 WCHA) beat the Wolverines (4-3-0, 0-0-0 Big Ten) in their first trip to Sault Ste. Marie since the dissolution of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) following the 2012-13 season.

As they had the previous night, the Wolverines opened the scoring.  Josh Norris put the puck past Lakers goaltender Mareks Mitens less than 4:00 into the game.  Michigan took a 2-0 lead when Jake Slaker found the back of the net later that period.

Lake Superior got on the board themselves late in the first period when senior forward Diego Cuglietta netted his third goal of the year.  Cuglietta, who hails from Kamloops, British Columbia, beat Michigan netminder Strauss Mann with just 15 ticks left on the clock.

Coming out of the locker room trailing 2-1, Lake Superior wasted little time tying the game up. Senior Anthony Nellis, who had a four point night on Friday, evened things up just 1:36 into the period.

The game did not stay tied for long, however, as the Wolverines scored twice in exactly two minutes.  Jack Becker made the score 3-2 Michigan and Quinn Hughes added to that on a power play.  Michigan scored another goal in the second period when Slaker potted his second of the night while shorthanded. 

While the third period saw the shots favor Lake Superior 18-6, the home team could not claw their way back into the game.  Defenseman Collin Saccoman put the Lakers within two, but his goal, which came with 1:13 left in the game, was too little too late, as the Wolverines skated away with a 5-3 win.

In goal, Mitens stopped 24 of 29, taking the loss in the process.  Mann made 28 saves out of 31.

During the first intermission, the five inductees into the LSSU Sports Hall of Fame were honored on the ice.  Darrin Madeley (hockey, 1989-92), Mark Astley (hockey, 1988-92), Ben Dewar (basketball, 1999-2003), Jean (Carbeno) Kreidler (Volleyball, 1980-84), and Margaret (Olson) Pollard (softball, volleyball and basketball, 1977-81) were each recognized for their contributions to Laker athletics in their time at Lake Superior State.

Lake Superior is home again next weekend when they face the Nanooks of the University of Alaska Fairbanks on Friday, November 8th and Saturday, November 9th.  Opening faceoff for both games is at 7:07 p.m. EST.  Tickets may be purchased at the Norris Center Ticket Office or online at lssulakers.com/tickets.