BEMIDJI, Minn. -  The Lake Superior State (LSSU) hockey program (17-20-1) fell to the Bemidji State Beavers (20-15-2) by a final score of 4-1 in the CCHA Mason Cup Semifinals on Saturday.

The Beavers opened up the scoring less than two minutes into the game with an early strike from Eric Pohlkamp off the face-off, but the Laker defense was able to hold Bemidji State to just the one tally for the remainder of the period.

Bemidji State was able to tack on two more midway through the second period of action, but the Lakers responded as Jared Westcott (Imperial, Mo.) and Luke Levandowski (Rosemount, Minn.) helped set up Branden Piku (Harrison Twp., Mich.) who fired the puck into the back of the net. LSSU continued to be aggressive for the remainder of the period with multiple near misses, including one shot that bounced off the post. However, the Beavers would ultimately remain in front by two goals after 40 minutes.

Both teams continued to battle in the third with the Lakers forcing Bemidji State goaltender Mattias Sholl to make multiple outstanding saves as they kept trying to fight their way back into the game. However, it would ultimately not be enough as the Beavers iced the game away with an empty-netter in the closing seconds. 

LSSU goaltender Ethan Langenegger (Kamloops, B.C.) made 34 saves on the night for the Lakers. 

The Lakers finish the 2023-24 season with an 8-win improvement from one year ago, and they will now turn their attention to the offseason to build upon their success for next season.