SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State hockey program (0-2-1) fell to the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines (4-1-0) by a final score of 5-2 on Friday.

The Wolverines struck quickly with a goal from Adam Fantilli 45 seconds into the game. Fantilli would then score his second goal of the contest midway through the opening period before Vancouver Canucks' draft pick Jacob Truscott gave Michigan a 3-0 lead heading into the first intermission. 

Both teams would open the second period with multiple chances, but the defenses held strong with Ethan Langenegger (Kamloops, B.C.) coming up with multiple huge saves. However, Michigan would extend their lead with a goal from Kienan Draper to push the score to 4-0. 

The Lakers were able to get on the board at the 8:55 mark in the second period after sophomore forward Jordan Venegoni (Levonia, Mich.) netted his first goal of his collegiate career with assists from Jared Westcott (Imperial, Mo.) and alternate captain Jacob Bengtsson (Stockholm, Sweden). 

Early in the third period, the Lakers took advantage of a slashing penalty from late in the second period as senior forward Brandon Puricelli (Ellisville, Mo.) scored his second goal of the season on the power play after receiving assists from captains Bengtsson and Louis Boudon (Grenoble, France). However, the defenses held firm for the remainder of the game, and the Wolverines iced the game away with an empty-netter from Fantilli.

Despite the loss, Bengtsson was able to secure multiple points for the ninth time in his career. Freshman defenseman Bryan Huggins (Grand Rapids, Mich.) also proved to be a force on the defensive end, leading all players with three blocks, and Langanegger earned 35 saves.

The Lakers will look to bounce back on Saturday, Oct. 22 when they face Michigan in the second and final game of the series for Great Lake State Weekend with the first puck drop scheduled for 6:07 p.m.