SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State (LSSU) hockey program has announced the remainder of its 2024-25 hockey schedule, as announced by Head Coach Damon Whitten on Tuesday. In addition, season ticket packages for the 2024-25 season are available now at the early bird rate for $245 for a 19-game home schedule. Prices will increase to $265 on September 1, 2024. All season packages include first round CCHA playoff tickets. Season ticket packages for seniors and children are available by calling 906-635-2601.
Ticket package renewals are available online now until September 1, 2024. All seats not claimed by September 1, 2024 will be released for general admission sale. To renew online, last year's season ticket holders can go to lssulakerstickets.universitytickets.com and click "Deposits". Please call 906-635-2601 for more information. Single game tickets for the 2024-25 season will be available July 24, 2024.
"We are excited about the upcoming season and the competitive schedule we have lined up," said Whitten. "Our team has been working hard in the offseason, and we are looking forward to showcasing our talent and dedication on the ice."
The Lakers will open their season hosting the defending Big Ten Champion Michigan State (MSU) Spartans in a rematch of an opening weekend series from a year ago in East Lansing. Last season, the Spartans claimed both games over the Lakers, but LSSU made them earn the victories with a highly competitive effort on both nights. The former Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) rivals hold strong ties to one another with both Coach Whitten as well as Associate Head Coach Mike York being MSU graduates themselves with York having been named to the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015 after a playing career that saw him score 210 career points (79G, 122A) in 158 games. Meanwhile, Spartan Head Coach Adam Nightingale once donned the blue and gold in Sault Ste. Marie, playing hockey for LSSU from 1999-02 before transferring to Michigan State, and in his final year as a collegiate player, Whitten was serving as a volunteer graduate assistant for the Spartans.
"Kicking off the season versus Michigan State will be a great opening weekend of hockey, and we cannot wait to see our fans fill Taffy Abel Arena and create an electrifying atmosphere!" said Whitten.
The following weekend, the Lakers will travel downstate for a pair of exhibition contests in Plymouth, Mich. First, they will take on the United States National Team Development Team's Under-18 squad (USNTDP U-18) on Oct. 11 before facing the Red Leafs of Simon Fraser the following day.
LSSU will then return home for Great Lake State Weekend for their first ever matchups against the Stonehill Skyhawks. In addition to the pair of contests, LSSU will also be honoring the 30th anniversary of the 1994 NCAA National Championship team, the 50th anniversary of the 1974 NAIA National Championship team, and the induction of Keith Aldridge (hockey), Eric Menk (men's basketball), and Chris Nance (women's basketball) into the LSSU Athletics Hall of Fame.
"We always look forward to Great Lake State Weekend, and we are excited to welcome Stonehill to campus for the first time," said Whitten.
Two weeks later, the Lakers will open their November slate with a trip to the Buckeye State on Nov. 1-2 for a two-game series at Ohio State. This will mark the first meeting between the two programs in just over a decade with the former CCHA rivals last facing one another in January of 2013.
Then, after two weekends of CCHA contests against Northern Michigan and Ferris State, LSSU will then close out their non conference schedule with a return trip to Alaska Anchorage. The Lakers hosted the Seawolves for a pair of games last season during Great Lake State Weekend. LSSU took the opening game by running away with a 5-1 victory after giving up the opening goal. However, Anchorage responded the following night, taking game two in a highly-competitive 3-2 matchup.
2024-25 Lake Superior State schedule:
home games listed in BOLD
Oct. 5 vs. Michigan State, 4:07 p.m.
Oct. 6 vs. Michigan State, 4:07 p.m.
Oct. 11 at USNTDP U-18 (exh.), time TBD
$Oct. 12 vs. Simon Fraser (exh.), Plymouth, Mich., time TBD
Oct. 18 vs. Stonehill, GLSW, 7:07 p.m.
Oct. 19 vs. Stonehill, GLSW, 6:07 p.m.
Nov. 1 at Ohio State, time TBD
Nov. 2 at Ohio State, time TBD
*Nov. 8 at Northern Michigan Wildcats, 7:07 p.m.
*Nov. 9 at Northern Michigan Wildcats, 6:07 p.m.
*Nov. 15 vs. Ferris State Bulldogs 7:07 p.m.
*Nov. 16 vs. Ferris State Bulldogs 6:07 p.m.
Nov. 22 at Alaska Anchorage, time TBD
Nov. 23 at Alaska Anchorage, time TBD
*Nov. 29 at St. Thomas Tommies 8:07 p.m.
*Nov. 30 at St. Thomas Tommies 7:07 p.m.
*Dec. 6 vs. Bemidji State Beavers 7:07 p.m.
*Dec. 7 vs. Bemidji State Beavers 6:07 p.m.
*Dec. 13 at Minnesota State Mavericks 8:07 p.m.
*Dec. 14 at Minnesota State Mavericks 7:07 p.m.
*Jan. 3 vs. Bowling Green Falcons 7:07 p.m.
*Jan. 4 vs. Bowling Green Falcons 6:07 p.m.
*Jan. 10 at Michigan Tech Huskies 7:07 p.m.
*Jan. 11 at Michigan Tech Huskies 6:07 p.m.
*Jan. 17 vs. St. Thomas Tommies 7:07 p.m.
*Jan. 18 vs. St. Thomas Tommies 6:07 p.m.
Jan. 31 at Augustana Vikings 8:07 p.m.
Feb. 1 at Augustana Vikings 7:07 p.m.
*Feb. 7 vs. Northern Michigan Wildcats 7:07 p.m.
*Feb. 8 vs. Northern Michigan Wildcats 6:07 p.m.
*Feb. 14 at Ferris State Bulldogs 7:07 p.m.
*Feb. 15 at Ferris State Bulldogs 6:07 p.m.
*Feb. 21 vs. Minnesota State Mavericks 7:07 p.m.
*Feb. 22 vs. Minnesota State Mavericks 6:07 p.m.
*Feb. 28 at Bowling Green Falcons 7:07 p.m.
*March 1 at Bowling Green Falcons 6:07 p.m.
All times listed in Eastern Standard Time
*CCHA
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