SAULT STE MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State hockey team earned a weekend sweep over the No. 19 Northern Michigan Wildcats with a 4-1 win on Saturday, Dec. 11 in the second game of a weekend Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) series at the Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. With the victory, the Lakers hold an 11-10-1 overall record this season and a 7-6-0 mark in conference play.

Junior forward Louis Boudon notched his second hat trick of the season while senior defenseman Jacob Nordqvist rounded out the scoring for the Lakers in the win. Boudon's hat trick included the game winning goal which came late in the third period while the Lakers were on a five-on-three advantage. Junior goaltender Seth Eisele finished the game with 14 saves in his fifth win of the season. 

The Wildcats took the lead just :29 seconds into the game when Ben Newhouse fired a shot on goal that beat Laker goaltender Seth Eisele. Newhouse's goal was assisted by David Keefer and Hank Crone to give Northern Michigan a 1-0 lead. 

Junior forward Louis Boudon evened the game at one later in the first period when he scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season at the 5:12 mark. While in the Wildcats zone, senior forward Miroslav Mucha gathered the puck in the corner and sent a pass to sophomore defenseman Jacob Bengtsson at the point. Bengtsson fired a wrist shot on goal that was redirected by Boudon from just outside the crease to make it a 1-1 game. 

With 5:11 left in the third period, the Lakers had a full two minute five-on-three power play opportunity. With two NMU skaters in the penalty box, the Lakers spent an extended shift in the offensive zone. Freshman forward Josh Nixon sent a pass to Bengtsson, who then sent over a quick pass to Boudon to set him up for a one timer from the middle of the faceoff circle. Boudon's shot made its way into the back of the net, holding up to be the game winning goal over the Wildcats as the Lakers took a 2-1 lead at 16:04 of the third period. 

The Lakers added a second power play goal in the same minute as Jacob Nordqvist was able to capitalize with four seconds left on the second NMU penalty that was called. Nordqvist took a shot from the top of the faceoff circle that made its way through a screen in front of DiMatteo to give the Lakers a two goal lead with 3:14 remaining in regulation. Mitchell Oliver and Logan Jenuwine notched the assists on the Laker goal. 

The game's scoring was capped off at the 18:49 mark of the third period as Boudon netted his third goal of the night to tally his second hat trick of the season. With the Lakers shorthanded, Boudon was able to gain possession of the puck following a shot from the Wildcats and sent the puck down the ice from the team's defensive end for the 4-1 win. Boudon's hat trick included an even strength goal, power play goal and a shorthanded goal. 

Eisele finished the game with 14 saves on 15 shots to record his fifth win of the season while DiMatteo ended the night with 18 saves in the loss. 

The Lakers will now have over a month off before returning to competition as the team will look to carry over the positives from the weekend sweep over the No. 19 Wildcats into the second half of the season. Lake State will play against Bemidji State on Friday, Jan. 7 and Saturday, Jan. 8 in Bemidji, Minn. in a CCHA series.

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