BY Mike Barrett

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State hockey team defeated the Merrimack Warriors by a final score of 4-3 on Sunday, Oct. 6 at Taffy Abel Arena. With the win, the Lakers improve to 2-0-0 this season.

Merrimack got the scoring started when freshman defenseman Zach Uens put a shot behind Laker junior goaltender Mareks Mitens just 55 seconds into the contest.  The Lakers did not wait long to respond, as junior defenseman Tyler Anderson answered for Lake Superior a mere 21 seconds later. For Anderson, it was the second goal of his Laker career.

Following the opening goals, both Mitens and Warriors freshman goaltender Troy Kobryn kept their respective opponents off the board for the remainder of the period.

Lake Superior struck next when senior forward Max Humitz notched his second goal of the season.  Prior to the season, Humitz, along with senior defenseman Collin Saccoman, was named co-captain of the team this season.

Like the Lakers earlier, Merrimack managed a quick response of their own, as sophomore forward Jordan Seyfert tied things up 39 seconds after the Humitz goal.  The Warriors retook the lead later in the period with a goal from senior forward Tyler Irvine.

Late in the second period, Humitz was issued a five minute major penalty and a game misconduct for kneeing. The Lakers penalty killers were able to successfully kill off the Warriors man advantage as the team headed to the locker room trailing by a goal after the opening 40 minutes of play.

At 8:14 of the third period, the home team managed to tie the game back up with a shot from junior defenseman Will Riedell.  1:27 later, Lake Superior broke the tie as Saccoman netted his first goal of the season to put the Lakers ahead 4-3.

Pulling Kobryn for an extra skater, Merrimack pushed hard for the tying goal.  Mitens and the Laker defense stood tall as Lake Superior held on for the 4-3 win, to secure their second win of the 2019-20 season.

In goal, Mitens stopped 20 of 23 shots to earn the win.  Across the ice, Kobryn made 15 saves on 19 shots.

Both teams were able to keep their opponent from scoring any power play goals. Lake Superior was 0 for 3, while the Warriors went 0 for 6, including the 5 minute power play.

Lake Superior is home again on Friday, Oct. 11 and Saturday, Oct. 12, when they host the No. 2University of Denver Pioneers for Great Lake State Weekend.  Game time for Friday's matchup is 7:30 p.m. while Saturday's contest is set for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop.

For more information, visit lssulakers.com

For tickets, click here or call 906-635-2601.

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