SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State hockey team fell to the Northern Michigan Wildcats by a final score of 5-1 on Friday, March 4 in the first game of the best-of-three Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Mason Cup Quarterfinals at the Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
Junior forward Brandon Puricelli scored the Laker goal in the game and junior goaltender Seth Eisele made 20 saves in the playoff game for the Lakers.
After a scoreless first period, the Lakers had a number of quality scoring chances early in the second period. Senior forward Miroslav Mucha and sophomore forward Harrison Roy both had great chances to give the Lakers the lead early in the second period.
At 10:29 of the second period, Alex Frye gave the Wildcats a 1-0 lead when he scored off a rebound of a shot from the blue line by defenseman Trevor Cosgrove. Mack Byers added the second assist.
The Wildcats doubled their lead at 14:04 of the second period when Byers netted NMU's second goal of the game. Byers redirected a pass from Frye to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead headed into the final period.
Hampus Eriksson netted his sixth goal of the season at 1:38 of the third period when he pulled the puck between his legs and fired a shot into the top corner of the net. Eriksson's goal was set up by Hank Crone and AJ Vanderbeck to lead by three goals in the third period.
At 7:53 of the third period, the Wildcats took a 4-0 lead over the Lakers as Vanderbeck drove to the net with the puck after a NMU faceoff win by Eriksson in the offensive zone. Vanderbeck sent the puck past Eisele high on his glove side.
Northern Michigan defenseman Bo Hanson capped off his team's scoring in the game with an empty net goal at 14:05 of the third period to put the Wildcats ahead 5-0.
The Lakers spoiled Wildcats goalie Charlie Glockner's shutout bid at 15:51 of the third period when Puricelli scored his 11th goal of the season, and extended his goal streak to three games. Roy sent the puck into the offensive zone and Boudon collected the puck along the boards. The Laker captain carried the puck behind the Wildcats net before sending a pass to Puricelli, who was stationed in the faceoff circle to Glockner's right. Puricelli sent a sharp angle shot on goal that beat Glockner to put the Lakers on the board.
The No. 4 Lakers will host the No. 5 seeded Northern Michigan Wildcats tomorrow night Saturday, March 5 for game two of the series. Puck drop is set for 6:07 p.m. at the Taffy Abel Arena. If necessary, the Lakers and Wildcats will play the decisive third game of the series on Sunday, March 6 at 6:07 p.m.
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