SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State (LSSU) hockey program (5-3-0, 2-0-0 CCHA) completed the CCHA weekend sweep of the Bemidji State Beavers (3-5-0, 2-2-0 CCHA) with a 5-1 victory on Saturday.
The Lakers' fourth line proved to be vital in the contest early with Branden Piku (Harrison Twp., Mich.) opening up the scoring with the first goal of his career at the 3:05 mark with assists from his linemates Luke Levandowski (Rosemount, Minn.) and Brett Roloson (Worcester, Mass.). A few minutes later at the 8:52 mark, LSSU was able to turn the tables during a Beaver power play as Timo Bakos (Augsburg, Germany) slotted home a shorthanded goal on the breakaway with assists from captain Harrison Roy (Lakeville, Mass.) and Nate Schweitzer (Champlin, Minn.) in what would ultimately turn out the be the game-winner. Then, with just over four minutes remaining in the opening period, Schweitzer fired the puck past the Bemidji State goaltender for his first goal in a Laker uniform right off of a face-off win from Bakos. However, the Beavers would get on the board late in the period with a goal from Liam Engstrom 40 seconds prior to the first intermission.
The defenses would then rise to the occasion in the second period as both teams were held scoreless in the frame that included 13 saves from goaltender Ethan Langenegger (Kamloops, B.C.).
Midway through the third period, Levandowski would score the first goal of his young career at the 9:17 mark with assists from the rest of the fourth line in Piku and Roloson. Then, down three goals, the Beavers elected to pull their goaltender with over nine minutes remaining in regulation, and Dawson Tritt (Spokane, Wash.) would make them pay for it with an empty-netter at the 11:38 mark to ice the game away.
Langenegger finished the game with 30 saves to earn the win between the pipes, and Schweitzer led all players with a +4 +/- rating with Evan Bushy (Thief River Falls, Minn.) was not far behind with +3.
The Lakers return to action on Friday, Nov. 10 when they begin their battle to reclaim the Cappo Cup at Northern Michigan with the first puck drop scheduled for 7:07 p.m.