SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State (LSSU) Lakers (13-16-1, 9-11-1 CCHA) earned a 3-0 shutout victory over the Augustana Vikings (10-17-3) in the first ever meeting between the future Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) foes after junior goaltender Easton Hesse (Beaumont, Alta.) stopped all 30 shots he faced on the night for his first career shutout.

Both teams battled through the opening period with neither side able to score in the first 20 minutes as the Lakers held a slim 9-8 lead in shots on goal going into the first intermission.

Then, at the 8:44 mark of the second period, Jack Blanchett (Monroe, Mich.) broke the stalemate, slotting home his second goal of the season in only the sixth game of his young career after being set up by Ross Roloson (Woodbury, Mass.) and Hobey Baker nominee Jared Westcott (Imperial, Mo.) to give the Lakers a 1-0 advantage after two. 

Assistant captain Dawson Tritt (Spokane, Wash.) wasted no time doubling up the lead after tapping in his team-leading eighth power play goal of the season, capitalizing on a hooking penalty by Augustana's Brian Silver with help from Timo Bakos (Augsburg, Germany) and team captain Harrison Roy (Lakeville, Mass.). The Vikings would continue to fight to stay in the game, but it would not be enough as Hesse and the Laker defense halted them at each and every opportunity before Westcott iced the game away with an empty-netter in the final minutes. 

With the shutout, Hesse picked up the second win of his career, and he improved his GAA to 0.83 with a save percentage of .974 in 217.5 minutes on the season. 

The Lakers will be looking for the weekend sweep on Saturday, Feb. 17 with puck drop scheduled for 6:07 p.m.