Hear from Head Coach Damon Whitten:
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Lake Superior State hockey picked up a win in the first game of a two-game series against Western Collegiate Hockey Association rival Northern Michigan University on Friday night.
The No. 20 Lakers (7-3-1, 4-2-1-0 WCHA) fell behind as the Wildcats (5-8-0, 4-3-0-0 WCHA) scored the game's first goal early in the second period, but LSSU then notched four consecutive goals to go up 4-1. NMU scored once more midway through the third period, making it a 4-2 final with the Lakers picking up the win.
After a scoreless first period, Troy Loggins scored on the power play at the 1:16 mark of the second to give NMU the 1-0 lead. Lake State's influx of goals kicked off 10:36 into the second period with Anthony Nellis finding the back of the net, assisted by Jacob Nordqvist and Lukas Kaelble. Gage Torrel scored a goal coming from Ashton Calder and Brendan McKay with 16 seconds to go in the frame, and the teams went into the second intermission with the Lakers up 2-1.
Just under a minute into the final period, Torrel notched his second goal of the game to bring the lead to 3-1. Diego Cuglietta picked up the primary assist, and Calder notched his second helper of the night. The Lakers' final goal was scored off the stick of Collin Saccoman, unassisted on the power play, at the 9:09 mark. NMU's Grant Loven then shortened LSSU's lead to 4-2 with 9:39 remaining in the third period.
Picking up the win in net tonight was senior Nick Kossoff (5-0-1), who made 22 saves on 24 shots. On the other end of the ice, Atte Tolvanen (5-8-0) saved 34 of 38 for the Huskies.
The Lakers capitalized on one power play attempt out of five opportunities and Northern Michigan had five power plays with one goal on the man advantage.
The teams return to the ice tomorrow for the second game of the weekend series at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Norris Center Ticket Office or at lssulakers.com/tickets. For additional ticket information, call (906) 635-2602.
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