SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State hockey program (1-5-1, 0-1-0 CCHA) fell in their Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) opener to the Northern Michigan Wildcats (6-5-0, 2-1-0 CCHA) by a final score of 4-1 on Friday.

The Wildcats were able to get on the board first midway through the opening period with a goal from Zach Michaelis. However, a few minutes later after goaltender Seth Eisele (Lake Elmo, Minn.) fended off several Wildcat chances, Harrison Roy (Lakeville, Mass.) announced his return to the lineup, tying up the game after Jared Westcott (Imperial, Mo.) stole the puck and quickly got it up to his teammate. 

Both defenses battled throughout the second period with each team killing off three penalties during the 20 minutes span. However, NMU was able to retake the lead with an unassisted goal at the 13:14 mark.

The Wildcats would then tack on another midway through the third with a strike from David Keefer before AJ Vanderbeck iced the game away with an empty-netter with just under three minutes remaining. 

The Lakers will be looking for the series split on Saturday, Nov. 5 with the first puck drop scheduled for 6:07 p.m.