MARQUETTE, Mich, - The Lake Superior State University hockey program (6-22-2, 5-16-1 CCHA) fell to the Northern Michigan Wildcats (13-15-0, 9-11-0 CCHA) by a final score of 3-1 on Saturday.

Both teams battled early to open the game, but the Wildcats would strike first as Andre Ghantous found the back of the net late in the first. However, Jordan Venegoni (Livonia, Mich.) would tap in a strike from Jake Willets (Monroe, Mich.) with 15 seconds remaining in the opening period to tie up the score at 1-1 going into the first intermission.

The defenses would then rise to the occasion in the second period, not allowing a single goal for either side during the frame. However, a late penalty on the Lakers would carry over into the third period, and Joey Larson was able to take advantage of the opportunity early in the final 20-minute stretch. The Lakers continued to battle, but Artem Shlaine fired the puck across the length of the ice to put the game away with the empty-netter.

The Lakers return to action after a bye week on Friday, Feb. 17 when they host the St. Thomas Tommies for the final home series of the season with puck drop scheduled for 7:07 p.m.