SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State hockey program (0-1-1) picked up a dramatic shootout victory over the Mavericks of Nebraska-Omaha (1-2-1) that will officially go in the record books as a 4-4 tie on Saturday.
It was all Lakers early on in the first period with junior forward Jared Westcott (Imperial, Mo.) slotting in a shot after receiving assists from Brett Roloson (Worcester, Mass.) and alternate captain Jack Jeffers (Oakville, Ont.) two minutes into the game. Junior forward Harrison Roy (Lakeville, Mass.) would extend the Lakers' lead approximately a minute and a half later after taking advantage of a rebound off of the Omaha goalkeeper. Then, at the 5:59 mark, sophomore Dawson Tritt (Spokane, Wash.) was able to steal the puck near his own blue line and take it the distance on a breakaway, giving the Lakers a commanding 3-0 lead, but they were not done yet as Brandon Puricelli (Ellisville, Mo.) took advantage of a power play and assists from Roy and captain Louis Boudon (Grenoble, France) to put the Lakers up 4-0 in the opening period.
After an impressive offensive showcase by the Lakers in the first period, it was the Mavericks that sprung to life in the second, scoring three unanswered goals with the third being on a power play.
The defenses would lock in for the first half of the third period, but at the 13:05 mark, the Mavericks were able to come all the way back and tie the game at 4-4 with a goal from Jack Randl. The Lakers would have multiple chances to try and take the lead, but the game would ultimately be tied at the end of regulation.
While the offense had gone cold, junior goaltender Ethan Langenegger (Kamloops, B.C.) proved to be a force between the pipes with five huge saves in overtime, but the score would still be tied at 4-4 after five minutes of extra hockey, officially ruling the game as a 4-4 tie. However, both teams would still play a best-of-three shootout.
New York Islanders' draft pick Cameron Berg would be up first for Omaha, but Langenegger held his ground. Timo Bakos (Augsburg, Germany) would then slot his attempt past the Maverick goaltender to give the Laker's the advantage. Jacob Guevin would be up next for the Mavericks, but once again, Langenegger held firm. Logan Jenuwine (Romeo, Mich.) would then have an opportunity to end the game, but his shot just deflected off of the post. However, Langenegger stopped Omaha's third and final attempt to give the Lakers the shootout victory.
Nine different Lakers would earn a point on the evening with Roy picking up two. Meanwhile, Langenegger finished the night with 30 saves in 65 minutes of action to pick up the tie.
The Lakers return to action on Friday, Oct. 21 when they host the Michigan Wolverines in Taffy Abel Arena with the first puck drop scheduled for 7:07 p.m.