LSSU to host Nanooks

The Lake Superior State University (6-5-3, 3-5-2 CCHA) hockey team will play host to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks (6-4-2, 4-3-1 CCHA) this weekend at the Taffy Abel Arena. Lake Superior is coming off home sweep over Robert Morris University this past weekend, winning 3-0 and 4-3 in overtime last weekend for their first home sweep since Oct. 18-19, 2002. UAF split their home series last weekend against Northern Michigan University, winning 3-1 on Friday and losing 4-1 on Saturday. UAF has split every weekend series that they have played this season including series against, Minnesota, and Michigan. UAF took three points in their weekend series at Ferris State University the first weekend of November. The Nanooks have been averaging 2.67 goals per game this season while also giving up 2.67 goals per game. UAF's power play is ranked 7th in the CCHA with a .165 Power Play Percentage, while their penalty kill is also ranked 7th in the CCHA with a .831 penalty kill percentage. Alaska Fairbanks has also surrendered 1 short handed goal on the season, while not being able to tally one themselves. UAF is the fifth most penalized team in the league averaging 19.58 penalty minutes per game. LSSU got its power play rolling against Robert Morris this past weekend, scoring 4 goals on 10 opportunities. LSSU conversely surrendered 1 goal on 9 opportunities to RMU. The Lakers are currently sixth in the CCHA in penalty killing giving up 12 goals in 14 games with a kill rating of .838. LSSU’s power play is currently ranked 4th in the CCHA with a .182 power play percentage. LSSU leads the all-time series against UAF, 19-9-3, Last season the Lakers tied the Nanooks 2-2, and 1-1 at Fairbanks. This is the only scheduled meeting of the two teams this season. LSSU goaltender Jeff Jakaitis is currently ranked sixth in the CCHA with a 2.36 GAA, and eighth in the CCHA with a .908 SV%. The Lakers are ranked second in the CCHA and seventh in the nation with a goals against average of 2.14. LSSU is offensively lead by Dominic Osman who has 5 goals in 12 games, and Jeff Rainville who has 4 goals and 10 points on the season. UAF is led offensively by junior Curtis Fraser who has 5 goals and 9 points in 12 games this year, after finishing last year 17-14-31, and Kyle Greentree who has 4 goals and 11 points, after leading UAF in scoring his freshman year, last year tallying 12 goals and 32 points. Second year UAF head coach Tavis MacMillan has been going with a goaltender by committee strategy this year. Both goaltenders have shown nearly identical statistics with veteran sophomore goaltender Wylie Rogers posting 3 wins, a 2.66 GAA, and .914 SV% in his 6 appearances, and freshman Chad Johnson posting 3 wings, a 2.60 GAA, and .928 SV% in his 6 appearances.

Lakers get committment from St Mike's forward

TORONTO, ON (SMCS) - The St. Michael's Buzzers are pleased to announce their first NCAA commitment for the 2005-2006 season - Buzzers forward #19 John Scrymgeour has committed to Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan for the 2006-2007 season. Scrymgeour has joined in a ever growing pool of Buzzers - currently four other Buzzers are committed to Division I NCAA hockey programs with more expected within days. Scrymgeour joined the St. Michael's Buzzers in this past off-season after playing for the OPJAHL Pickering Panthers for the previous two years. In his last year as a Panther he scored a 7-10-17 line in 32 games but has dwarfed that with his performance thus far in 2005-2006 with a 16-15-31 line in 25 games. His stellar performance on the ice wasn't the only aspect of his game getting him attention with the NCAA scouts - his leadership skills, intense work ethic and low-key demeanor have been key assets in an otherwise very young squad. That very same approach to the game earned the respect of his peers and coaching staff, with Scrymgeour being assigned as an Alternate Captain on away games. Scrymgeour, in his humble fashion, attributes his dramatic rise and his new opportunity with LSSU to "the staff and exposure I was granted by the Buzzers. I can't express my gratitude enough for helping make this happen. This doesn't happen anywhere else other than with St. Mike's." The St. Michael's Buzzers Junior A Hockey team has amassed over 20 players who have moved on or have current commitments to the NCAA, OHL and NHL in the last three years. The St. Michael's Buzzers name has become synonymous with integrity, success and hockey excellence in Canadian Junior A Hockey since its inception in 1933.

Lakers record second sweep of the season

After a scoreless first period which saw the Lake Superior State put 14 shots on Robert Morris backup goaltender, and Northern Michigan University transfer, Joe Tuset, the Lakers fell behind less than two minutes into the second period (1:17) with Sean Berkstresser scoring his sixth goal of the season on a power play caused by Derek A. Smith’s checking from behind penalty. Smith was able to atone for his gaff by tying the game at one goal apiece with a power play goal of his own; his first goal of the season at 14:00 of the second period, assists went to Dan Eves and Jon Booras. The Lakers took the lead just over two minutes (2:04) into the third period with captain Steve McJannet notching his 4th goal of the season on the power play, with assists going to Dominic Osmon and Barnabas Birkeland. The Lakers were unable to maintain their slim one goal lead though and gave up a short handed tally to Robert Morris forward Tom Biondich at 13:02 of the third period. The Lakers where able to regain the lead at 16:56 of the third period with Jon Booras scoring his first goal of the season with an assist going to Derek R. Smith. RMU was able to crawl back into the game with Jace Buzek scoring an even strength goal with 1:25 remaining in the contest. Laker junior forward Dominic Osman returned to the lineup after being benched the two previous games to score his team leading fifth goal of the season 3:40 into overtime with assists going to Dan Eves and Jeff Rainville. "Those were two good wins," Roque said. "Robert Morris really played hard and aggressive. They were both good games -- hard-fought -- and better than winning 8-1. These games will help us." Troy Schwab, Marty Gurnoe, Matt Wheeler and Mark Adamek sat out due to injuries, but most will be able to come back when LSSU plays host to Alaska Fairbanks next weekend. Laker freshman goalie Vince Wheeler got his first start of his young career, stopping 23 of the 26 shots he faced. LSSU went 2 for 5 on the power play, for the second straight night while holding Robert Morris University to 1 for 4 with the extra attacker. The Lakers also dominated the faceoff circle again winning almost twice as many faceoffs as RMU for the weekend. LSSU plays host Alaska Fairbanks University next weekend.

Lakers Blank Robert Morris

LSSU goalie, Jeff Jakaitis, recorded his fifth career shutout by stopping all 14 Robert Morris University shots. LSSU ended off their 0-23 power play drought with two tallies in the third period while on the man advantage. The Lakers jumped out to an early lead with Barnabas Birkeland scoring his first goal of the season just 1:36 into the game. The Lakers where able to hold onto their one goal lead throughout the first and second periods. Laker captain, Steve McJannet, scored an insurance goal during a 5 minute LSSU power play at 11:27 of the second period with assists going to Jason Miller and Derek A. Smith. Dan Eves added his fourth goal of the season with just over 2 minutes to play in the game on the power play with assists going to Josh Sim and Jon Booras. LSSU went 2 for 5 on the power play while holding Robert Morris University to just one shot in their 5 power play opportunities. The Lakers also dominated the faceoff circle winning almost twice as many faceoffs as RMU. LSSU locks heads with RMU Saturday night at 7:35.

Lakers sign two forwards and two defensemen

For the second straight year, the Lake Superior State hockey program has signed the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League's leading scorer. Current SJHL scoring leader Michael George of the Battleford North Stars is among the recruits who signed a National Letter of Intent to play hockey at LSSU next season. Other fall recruiting period signees include Stouffville Spirit defenseman Simon Gysbers, Fort Williams North Stars defenseman Ryan Baird and Chicago Steel forward Nathan Perkovich. George, a 6-1, 190-pound left wing from Battleford, Sask., has 20 goals, including three short-handed goals, and 23 assists through 28 games this season. The 20-5-1 North Stars currently lead the SJHL's Itech Division. George finished second in the league in scoring last year behind Troy Schwab, who is currently the Lakers' top scorer. Perkovich, a 6-5, 180-pound forward from Canton, Mich., was drafted in the eighth round (250th overall) by New Jersey during the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, but missed a year of hockey due to a knee injury. He played midget hockey in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., and always hoped to return as an LSSU player. This season, he is 14th in the United States Hockey League in scoring with nine goals and seven assists in 19 games. "We are losing guys like Colin Nicholson, Steve McJannet and Nathan Ward up front - guys who have played a lot," LSSU coach Jim Roque said. "These two forwards will help keep us going in the right direction. They have good size and good skills." Gysbers, a 6-4, 190-pound defenseman from Richmond Hill, Ont., is an assistant captain for the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League's Stouffville Spirit and has been mentioned as a "B" player on the NHL's Central Scouting Service list of players to watch. He was named the OPJHL's Most-Outstanding Defenseman in 2004-05. This season, he has three goals and 11 assists through 21 games. Baird, a 5-10, 180-pound defenseman from Thunder Bay, Ont., is 10th overall in scoring in the Superior International Junior Hockey League with eight goals and 21 assists in 20 games. He is the team captain for the Fort Williams North Stars, who are leading the SIJHL with a 19-1-0 record and recently earned a No. 14 Canadian Junior A national ranking. Last season, he was named most-valuable player of the Dudley-Hewitt Cup, which is Ontario's regional qualifier for the Canadian national tournament (Royal Bank Cup). Baird and Elmira Sugar Kings defenseman Chad Swartzentruber are the top-scoring defensemen in their respective leagues. Swartzentruber, who is playing in the Midwest Junior B League, is on a deferred status after committing to LSSU last spring. "All three defensemen have real good mobility," Roque said. "They are good puck handlers and are skilled. That type of defenseman is going to be valuable to us now because of the way college hockey is changing. These guys can move well and are good offensively."

Roque receives reprimand from CCHA

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association has reprimanded Lake Superior State University head coach Jim Roque and fined him for a violation of the conference's 'Good Conduct Regulations'. The Lakers' coach was cited for these published comments he made following his team's game at Ohio State University on Nov. 19. "I screwed it up for my team. It's my fault. My guys played hard, played a lot of chances. I don't need to see the video tonight; we were outstanding. And we were good last night. We were very good last night. "He's [referee Mark Wilkins] apologizing before the game that he missed two checking from behind, it doesn't help me today. And you guys [Ohio State] on Tuesday night won the game because of a checking from behind in the third against State. "Proud of my guys, though. We came here to pass the test and we passed with flying colors. We're going to be a good team. I like our team." CCHA regulations stipulate, in part, that, 'No employee (e.g., coaches, athletic staff members, etc.) or student-athlete of a member institution shall make derogatory remarks to the press or public about opponents or officials.'

LSSU to host Robert Morris University

The Lake Superior State University hockey team (4-3-3, 3-3-2 CCHA) will host Robert Morris University (4-5-1) over Thanksgiving weekend. This is the first ever meeting between the two teams; Robert Morris University’s Hockey team is in its second-year as a NCAA Division I program. Lake Superior is coming off a sub par performance this past weekend against Ohio State who had held the Lakers scoreless in both games. The Robert Morris Colonials are coming off a split with Alabama-Huntsville. LSSU is the second CCHA team that Robert Morris has played this season. RMU defeated Western Michigan 5-2 on Oct. 15 and beat the U.S. National Team Development Program's Under-18 squad 6-5 on the following night. Lake Superior swept Western Michigan earlier this season, but lost to the U.S. National Team 4-3 exhibition in exhibition play. Robert Morris’ power play is ranked third in the country, with a .277 Power Play Percentage. Robert Morris has been averaging 3.30 goals per game this season while giving up 3.10 goals per game. RMU’s penalty kill is also ranked second in the CHA with a .820 penalty kill percentage. Robert Morris has also surrendered 3 short handed goals on the season, while tallying 1 themselves. LSSU has gone 0-20 on the power play the past two weekends. The Lakers are currently seventh in the CCHA in penalty killing with a giving up 11 goals in 12 games with a kill rating of .831. LSSU’s power play is currently ranked 8th in the CCHA with a .161 power play percentage. The Colonials are led in scoring by senior forward Kurt Wright (6-6-12) and junior forward Doug Conley (0-12-12) a transfer from Findlay. RMU is lead in goal by sophomore Christian Boucher, who has a .888 SV% and 3.23 GAA. LSSU goaltender Jeff Jakaitis is currently ranked sixth in the CCHA with a 2.36 GAA, and eighth in the CCHA with a .908 SV%. LSSU is offensively lead by Jeff Rainville who has 3 goals and eight points, and Trent Campbell who has 4 goals and 7 points on the season.

INCH facts disputed by anonymous Blue Liner

http://insidecollegehockey.com/INCH.htm Bench Minor: Somebody forgot to unlock the clapper of Lake Superior State’s victory bell Saturday, curtailing the Lakers’ traditional post-victory celebration. The Lakers usually run out to the bell just outside of the Norris Center shortly after a win and ring the thing, then come back inside the arena single-file through a tunnel of remaining fans in a tradition that dates to the early 1980s. But after Saturday’s 3-2 win over Miami, the bell was locked and the silence was saddening. We're told that Lakers coach Jim Roque has a copy of the key now, so there shouldn’t be any future problems. Whoever wrote the article did not have all of the accurate facts. There is NO KEY or any copy of a key given to Jim that will unlock the clapper. It's a combination lock...duh! So, what's the winning combination? Is the university working over Roque again or has INCH simply not done the required research?

Shutout Again

Lake Superior State University’s Hockey Team was swept in back to back shutouts for the first time since the 2003-04 season. The Lakers anemic offense has now been shutout in three of their past 4 games The Lakers fell behind early in the game giving up a power play goal to Mathieu Beaudoin (4:40) on a fluky play where the puck was dumped into the zone and bounced out in front of the net, right onto the junior forward’s stick. The Lakers where unable to capitalize on there scoring opportunities in the first and second periods, including hitting three posts. Ohio State increased their lead to 2 in the second period with Mathieu Beaudoin scoring his second of the game at 12:25. Bryce Anderson added a goal at 18:22 two seconds after Ren Fauci came out of the penalty box for serving two minutes for interference. Matt Waddell added a power play goal with 48 seconds remaining in the period, after Barnabas Birkeland took a bad tripping penalty at 18:51. The Lakers replaced Jeff Jakaitis in goal after he gave up 4 goals on 21 shots in two periods, with freshman Vince Wheeler. Wheeler handled all 8 shots he faced with ease in seeing his first college action. LSSU went 0-8 on the power play including two 5 on 3 opportunities. 26 of the Lakers 27 shots did come on the power play. OSU went 2-10 on the power play. OSU dominated the Lakers in faceoff circle again tonight by a greater than 2 to 1 margin. The Lakers head home to face Robert Morris in non-conference play Thanksgiving Weekend.

Lakers Fall Flat against Ohio State

The Lakers where shutout for the second time in three games on Friday night. The Lakers where not only unable to score any goals but they only recorded 27 shots, 14 less than Ohio State University recorded. After an uneventful first period the Lakers fell behind at 15:56 of the second period on a goal by Ohio State’s John Dingle, which went 5-hole on Jakaitis. Kenny Bernard added an insurance goal at 11:22 of the third period. Mathieu Beaudoin added a third OSU goal at 17:15 of the third period for his third point of the night. The Lakers where 0 for 2 on the power play while holding OSU to 0 for 3 with the extra man. LSSU was only able to muster two shots while on the power play. LSSU has gone 5 periods without scoring a goal and have not scored in their last 14 power play opportunities going back to Saturday night against Western Michigan.

The NHL has got it right

For all the problems that the NHL has had in the past 10 years off the ice, they have come out with a superior product on the ice this season. I'm not talking about gimmicks like 4x4 overtime and shootouts, the equivalent of playing extra innings without a centerfielder, and resorting to a homerun contest to decide the game. The rules that are being called that effect the way the game is fundamentally played have had a dramatic effect on improving the NHL game. The NCAA could learn some lessons from what the NHL has learned this year, and could improve their game if they adopted some of the rules that the NHL has found in their rule book this year. Obstruction, Interference, and Hooking have been in the rulebook for years, but their interpretation has been left up to the individual referee, and not according to the rule book. Calling these penalties opens up the game and makes it exciting. The NCAA would be much better off if they adopted the zero tolerance policy that is found in the NHL. The rule change that has had one of the biggest effects, and gone virtually unnoticed, is the rule that punishes the team that ices the puck by not letting them make a line change prior to the ensuing face-off. This rule reduces icing penalties and/or allows the attacking team to maintain momentum, which can lead to more goal scoring chances. The NHL's use of two referees was originally thought to cause problems with breaking up the flow of the game. But the dual use has been relatively successful with detecting penalties away from the play. The second referee would also be able to detect the high sticking occurrences that have run rampant as of late in the NCAA, but are seldom called due to poor officiating and the mandatory use of full facemasks. Off all the rule changes that where instituted in the NHL this year these have had the most significant effect. Unfortunately the rule changes that been discussed to filter down to the NCAA are the gimmicks like shootouts. Unfortunately, you can't expect the NCAA to fix their hockey problems with any intelligence any time soon, look at how they have handled football.

LSSU looks to Capitalize on struggling Ohio State

The Lake Superior State University (4-3-3, 3-3-2 CCHA) hockey team will travel to Columbus, Ohio to take on the slumping Ohio State Buckeyes (2-5-1, 1-4-1 CCHA) Hockey team at the Value City Arena this weekend. Lake Superior is coming off a split this past weekend against Miami who had swept Ohio State the previous weekend. Ohio State who was idle over the weekend is set to play Michigan State on Tuesday evening. Ohio State, picked to finish first in the CCHA in both the preseason media and coaches polls, has started the season with a series of disappointing performances. The buckeyes have been averaging 2.50 goals per game this season while giving up 3.00 goals per game. Ohio State's penalty play is ranked 9th in the CCHA with a .143 Power Play Percentage, while their penalty kill is also ranked 9th in the CCHA with a .783 penalty kill percentage. Ohio State has also surrendered 2 short handed goals on the season, while tallying 2 themselves. LSSU went 0-10 on the power play against Miami, recording only 7 shots. LSSU conversely surrendered 1 goal on 8 opportunities to Miami. The Lakers are currently seventh in the CCHA in penalty killing with a giving up 9 goals in 10 games with a kill rating of .827. LSSU’s power play is currently ranked 8th in the CCHA with a .182 power play percentage. Ohio State is looking to get their season pointed in the right direction with their first home stand of the season. LSSU leads the all-time series against Ohio State, 65-47-9, including a slim 26-24-5 lead in Columbus. The Lakers have struggled mightily as of late against the Buckeyes, going 2-14-2, in a streak going back to 1998. Previous to this losing steak the Lakers had gone on a 5 year streak where they went 19-0-3. Last season the Lakers fell to the Buckeyes 3-1, and 3-2 in overtime. This is the only scheduled meeting of the two teams this season. LSSU goaltender Jeff Jakaitis is currently ranked second in the CCHA with a 1.97 GAA, and sixth in the CCHA with a .915 SV%. LSSU is offensively lead by Jeff Rainville who has 3 goals and eight points, and Trent Campbell who has 4 goals and 7 points on the season. Ohio State is led offensively by sophomore Tom Fritsche who has 2 goals and 7 points in 8 games this year, after finishing last year 11-34-45. Andrew Schembr and Rod Pelley round out the top three of OSU’s scoring leaders this year. Pelley and Fritsche each had over 40 points last season and Schembr had 23 points. Rod Pelley has both of the Buckeyes' game winning goals this season. He now has 42 career goals, including six winners. Senior Dave Caruso has handled the majority of the goaltending duties for the Buckeyes this season recording a 2.41 GAA (9th in the CCHA), and .890 SV% (11th in the CCHA), posting a record of 2-4-1.

Lakers Ring Bell Against Miami

Lake Superior State improved to 3-3 against nationally-ranked opponents by beating No. 10 Miami 3-2 on Saturday at Taffy Abel Arena and handing the RedHawks their first Central Collegiate Hockey Association loss. LSSU (4-3-3 overall, 3-3-2 CCHA) out-scored Miami 3-1 in the first period and held on for the win. Sophomore forward Dan Eves talled the game-winning goal at 17:23 of the opening period and assisted on Derek R. Smith's goal three minutes earlier to lead the Lakers. LSSU captain Steve McJannet gave the Lakers a 1-0 lead at 8:12 of the first period. Miami's Nathan Davis tied it 1-1 at 12:49. The Lakers maintained their two-goal lead until a costly turnover in their own zone enabled MU's Matt Davis to score at 8:29 of the second period. Laker goaltender Jeff Jakaitis totaled 23 saves for the win. He stopped seven of eight shots in the second period and was 9-for-9 in the third. Miami netminder Jeff Zatkoff totaled 17 saves. Both teams were 0-for-3 on the power play. Colin Nicholson, Ren Fauci, Barnabas Birkeland, Troy Schwab and Matt Restoule also had assist for the Lakers. CCHA leader Miami fell to 6-2-0 overall and 5-1-0 in the league. The Lakers play at Ohio State on Nov. 18-19.

Lakers Shut-out

Tenth-ranked Miami remained undefeated in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association after blanking Lake Superior State 3-0 on Friday at Taffy Abel Arena. The RedHawks (6-1-0 overall, 5-0-0 CCHA) held the Lakers scoreless on seven power-play opportunities and out-shot LSSU, 24-17. The Lakers where outmaned by the RedHawks, they looked slow, and where unable to set up their power play during the game. Miami made it 1-0 on Matt Davis' even-strength goal at 16:15 of the first period. The RedHawks expanded their lead with a power-play goal by Raymond Eichenlaub at 11:35 and an even-strength goal by Joe Cooper at 15:57 of the second period. Cooper and Davis also had assists for the RedHawks. Miami finished 1-for-5 on the power play. The Lakers (3-3-3 overall, 2-3-2 CCHA) fell below .500 in league play a week after pulling off their first CCHA sweep since the 2000-01 season. They are 2-3 against ranked opponents this season. Losing goaltender Jeff Jakaitis totaled 21 saves, while Miami goalie Charlie Effinger stopped 17 saves for his first shutout of the season. LSSU and Miami play Game 2 of the series at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Abel Arena.

Wheeler Suspended 4 games

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association today announced that freshman defenseman Matt Wheeler of Lake Superior State has been suspended for four games as the result of a spearing incident that occurred in a game at Western Michigan on November 4, 2005. The supplemental disciplinary action was taken by the CCHA after a review of the incident that occurred at 9:32 of the third period and resulted in the player receiving a major penalty for spearing and a disqualification penalty. Wheeler will be required to serve this suspension during Lake Superior State's next two regularly scheduled series on Nov. 11-12 against Miami and on Nov. 18-19 against Ohio State.

Alleged NCAA violations disputed by LSSU, Anzalone

From the Soo Evening News: http://sooeveningnews.com/articles/2005/11/09/sports/sports993.txt Lake Superior State recently issued a news release to announce that two secondary rules violations occurred within its hockey program last season. Former Laker coach Frank Anzalone adamantly denies the allegations, however, and his attorney is demanding a retraction from the university. According to an LSSU statement, the alleged infractions occurred during the 2004-05 hockey season and involved bylaw 17 - playing season violations at the Division I level. LSSU states that Anzalone illegally observed unofficial practices out of season, that he used “deliberate actions” to circumvent NCAA rules and that there was “willful intent” to cover up the violations. LSSU Athletic Director Bill Crawford said LSSU has imposed practice time sanctions upon its hockey program this season to make up for last year's transgressions. Anzalone was fired by LSSU in June after four seasons in his second coaching stint with the Lakers. Anzalone's attorney Michael Dettmer issued the following statement in regards to LSSU's news release: “My client, Frank Anzalone, is extremely disappointed by the actions of his former employer, Lake Superior State University. The actions of its athletic director and the school's administration accusing Frank of intentional NCAA violations is libelous and simply intended to destroy his career. In response, we have sent a letter to the university seeking retraction. If they fail to apologize and do not retract, I will advise coach Anzalone to pursue all appropriate legal avenues open to him. The idea that an ‘investigation' is conducted without contacting the ‘accused‘ and allowing or seeking his response, is simply evidence of a witch hunt and only serves to exhibit their actual malice. The university's actions are shameful and in retaliation for the necessity of Frank being forced to file litigation to obtain the monies due him and his family under his contract. Their tactics, their malice and their failure to live up to their contractual obligations speak volumes about the state of Division I hockey at this school under this athletic director.” College athletes are allowed to work out on their own prior to the official practice dates allowed by the NCAA. These so called “captain's” practices, are permitted as long as there is no supervision from coaches. Most college hockey teams begin their “captain's practices” in mid-September. College hockey coaches are not allowed on the ice, to direct practices, or even to watch their teams skate until the first week of October. The question of whether or not a hockey coach is observing practice at Lake Superior State may be difficult to determine. The Laker hockey coaches' office at Taffy Abel Arena overlooks the ice, a design common among college hockey rinks, and one which was requested by Jeff Jackson during the “Gem of the North” update to the Norris Center. According to LSSU, Anzalone left behind documentation after he was fired which indicate he violated NCAA rules by observing and evaluating captain's practices and by having players practice for too many hours per week. Anzalone says he still has his records, and he did not break any rules. Anzalone also said LSSU did not contact him, or inform him of any investigation before reporting the alleged violations to the NCAA. Anzalone, the winningest coach in Laker hockey history, guided LSSU to the 1988 national championship and a 191-108-22 record from 1983-1990. In his second stint as Laker coach, Anzalone had a 32-97-20 record and several players left the program for various reasons. A lawsuit has been pending between Anzalone and Lake Superior State since June. Anzalone signed a three-year contract with LSSU in 2004 at a salary of $80,000 per year plus traveling stipends. The university still has not given any reason for Anzalone's dismissal, and ceased paying him following his termination. Anzalone now coaches the Johnstown Chiefs of the East Coast Hockey League. Lake Superior State has now reported three violations to the NCAA during Crawford's watch. Previously, LSSU informed the NCAA that it used an ineligible player during the men's basketball season. The Laker basketball team was ordered to forfeit five wins from last year and the player who was then ineligible must sit out 12 games this season.

Lakers to play host to #11 Miami

The Lake Superior State University (3-2-3, 2-2-2 CCHA) hockey team will take on the #11 Miami University RedHawks (5-1-0, 4-0-0 CCHA) team at the Norris Center’s Taffy Abel Arena this weekend. Both teams are coming off of surprising series sweeps this past weekend with LSSU sweeping Western Michigan University (10-0 and 3-1), and Miami upsetting Ohio State University (3-1 and 4-1). Coincidently WMU had swept Ohio State the weekend prior to playing LSSU. The Lakers earned two points in the USCHO.com/CSTV Division I Men's Poll this week. Miami, picked to finish seventh in the CCHA in the preseason media poll, has surprised a lot of people this season sweeping Nebraska-Omaha and Ohio State, with three of these victories coming on the road. The RedHawks are off to a 4-0-0 start in league play for the first time in Coach Enrico Blasi's tenure. Miami's last 4-0-0 start was during the 1996-97 season when RedHawks won five in a row to start the conference slate. The 1996-97 team went 27-12-1 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Miami's penalty kill was successful last weekend holding OSU to 0 for 16 on the power play, and scoring two shorthanded goals. Miami’s power play went 3-for-7 on Saturday after going 0-8 on Friday; giving them a season total to .128, tied for ninth in the CCHA, Miami’s power play also surrendered a short handed goal to OSU. LSSU went 7-20 on the power play against WMU, and held WMU goalless surrendering 9 power play opportunities and scored one shorthanded goal. The Lakers offensive explosion has given them a season total of .209, 4th in the CCHA. The Lakers are also risen to sixth in the CCHA in penalty killing with a giving up one goal per game with a kill rating of .818. Miami is looking to extend their season winning streak to 7 games this weekend. LSSU leads the all-time series against Miami, 50-24-10, including a 32-6-4 advantage at in the Sault. Last season, the Lakers and RedHawks split their series in Oxford, Ohio. The Lakers have struggled as of late against the RedHawks, going 2-10-0, in the last 12 meetings. This is the only scheduled meeting of the two teams this season. LSSU's big guns last weekend included highly touted but underachieving Jeff Rainville and Trent Campbell, who both totaled two goals and three assists for the series. Freshman (phenom?) Troy Schwab finished with three goals and one assist. LSSU goaltender Jeff Jakaitis stopped 49 out of 50 shots on goal to earn CCHA Goaltender of the Week honors. Friday's win was his fourth career shutout and but unfortunately only his second shutout victory. Jakaitis is currently the CCHA’s fifth rated goaltender with a .921 save percentage in the league (.917 SV% NCAA). Miami sophomore defenseman Mitch Ganzak was awarded as the CCHA Defensive Player of the Week, after recording 4 assists against OSU. A somewhat puzzling choice since he was on the ice when OSU scored their short handed goal. Ganzak has seven points on one goal and six assists, which ranks him second on the team and fourth among CCHA blue liners. His six assists lead the RedHawks. Miami is led offensively by senior defenseman Andy Greene who has 8 points in 4 CCHA games this year. Green, as well as sophomore forward Ryan Jones, senior forward Chris Michael and Junior Forward Marty Guerin have each scored three goals in the 4 CCHA games Miami has played. Freshman Miami goalie Jeff Zatkoff leads the CCHA with a .945 save percentage, while sophomore goalie Charlie Effinger is third in the league with a .939 save percentage. The Lakers have out-shoot their opponents in six of eight games played this season.

Are the Lakers for Real?

After an uneventful first period the Lakers fell behind 1:08 into the second period on a goal by WMU's Jeff Pierce. Jason Miller seemed to tie the game 22 seconds later but the goal was disallowed after the referee, Kevin Hall, had a conversation with the goal judge. The Lakers where able to vindicate their called back goal with Troy Schwab putting in a power play goal at 12:06 of the second period, with assists going to Trent Campbell and Matt Restoule. Colin Nicholson came close to giving the Lakers the lead in the closing seconds of the second period, only to see his shot rattle off the WMU crossbar. The Lakers took the lead with Dominic Osman knocking in a rebound at 12:18 of the third period, after a shot by Nathan Ward, with the other assist going to Jeff Rainville. Colin Nicholson added an insurance goal with a shot off the cross bar at 17:11 of the third period with assists going to Matt Restoule and Ren Fauci. The win is undoubtedly the biggest win for the Lakers since the 1999-2000 season. They where able to show that Friday’s game was not a fluke and that they have the ability to put away a team, hold a lead, and not just play to the level of their opponent as they have seemed to do for many years. The momentum gained from this season has the potential to vault this Lakers team to the top half of the CCHA. This game marks the first time this season that the Lakers have been outshot by their opponent, 32-30. The Lakers last series sweep was October 18-19, 2002 against Mercyhurst, their last CCHA sweep came January 1-2, 2001 against Notre Dame. Next weekend against Miami looms large, with the Lakers riding high after dominating the Broncos. Miami is undefeated in the CCHA, with their only loss of the season coming against a highly ranked North Dakota team.

Lakers Put up 10 against Western Michigan

Jeff Rainville, Troy Schwab, Trent Campbell, and Dan Eaves each scored two goals in the game. The explosive Laker offense chased Daniel Bellissimo after scoring 6 goals in just over 2 periods of play. The Lakers jumped out to an early lead with Jeff Rainville scoring one minute into the game on a pass from Nathan Ward and Marty Gunroe. Rainville scored his third goal of the season on the two man advantage at 12:50 of the first period, with assists going to Barnabas Birkeland. Rainville was able to add a third point at 8:23 of the second period when he led a shorthanded rush and was able to dish a pass off to Trent Campbell who buried the puck behind Daniel Bellissimo. Troy Schwab added a power play goal, his first collegiate goal, at 13:07of the second period, assisting on the goal was Colin Nicholson and Campbell, to give the Lakers a 4-0 lead. The game got chippy when Chris Frank ran Colin Nicholson, punches where thrown but only roughing penalties where assessed. Nicholson was outmanned but held his own. This led to the Lakers being awarded a 2 minute 2 man advantage, that the Lakers where unable to capitalize on. Troy Schwab netted his second goal of the game at the two minute mark of the third period, after being set up by Matt Wheeler and Trent Campbell. Western’s Reid Yantzi took a major penalty for checking from behind at 3:31 of the third period. The Lakers where able to capitalize on their 5-3 power play with a goal by Trent Campbell, at 4:06, with assists going to Matt Restoule and Troy Schwab. LSSU added a second power play goal during the major penalty at 5:25 of the third period with Dan Eves, assisted by Josh Sim, putting a shot past backup goalie Ryan Mensing. The Lakers scored a third goal during the major penalty power play when Dominic Osman netted his third goal of the season at 6:34 of the third period, with assists going to Derek A. Smith and Jeff Rainville. The Lakers got their ninth goal of the game at 9:35 of the third period with a power play goal by Alex Dunn, assisted by Colin Nicholson and Steve McJannet. Wheeler took a major penalty, and game disqualification, at 10:28 of the third period for spearing that effectively ended the Lakers third period scoring flurry. The Lakers where able to kill off the major penalty giving up only 4 shots in the five minutes. Dan Eaves scored the Lakers 10th goal, his second of the game, at 18:11 of the third period, with assists going to Derek R. Smith and Alex Dunn. The last time the Lakers scored more than ten goals in a game Sean Tallaire was the teams leading scorer and Blaine Lacher was the Lakers goalie. The Lakers put up 11 goals against Michigan State in a 11-1 romp on February 11, 1994. The Lakers where 6 for 13 on the power play while holding WMU’s top rated CCHA power play to 0 for 5. Jeff Jakaitis recorded his 4th shutout as a Laker, his first since the 03-04 season. Jakaitis only had to turn away 18 shots. LSSU was able to outshoot their opponent again this season with 39 shots, the Lakers have outshoot their opponent for the 6th time in 7 games. LSSU plays WMU again Saturday night at the Lawson Arena. This was yet another CCHA game played with out GameTracker, making it impossible to obtain statistics during the game.

Lakers to tackle bucking Broncos

The Lake Superior State University (1-2-3, 0-2-2 CCHA) hockey team will make its first true road trip of the year this weekend when they travel to Kalamazoo to take on an upstart Western Michigan University (2-2-0 overall, 2-0-0 CCHA) team at Lawson Arena. LSSU is still looking for its first conference win after suffering 3-1 and 2-1 losses during last weekend against Northern Michigan, and only being able to salvage a pair of ties the previous weekend against Ferris State University. WMU is in the Lakers' scheduling cluster, along with Ferris and NMU, this year and will play the in the Sault January 6-7. Western Michigan, picked to finish last in the CCHA in the preseason coaches poll, is coming off a 5-1 and 5-4 home sweep against No. 4 Ohio State, earning them one point USCHO.com/CSTV Division I Men's Poll while dropping Ohio State to 13th in the poll. Overall the Broncos are 2-2 for the season after suffering earlier losses to Robert Morris and Niagara. Western Michigan's special teams were extremely successful last weekend holding OSU to 0 for 18 on the power play, and scoring a shorthanded goal. WMU’s power play went 7-for-17 during the weekend; bring their season total to .310, first in the CCHA. LSSU by contrast has not scored a power play goal in their past three games. The Lakers were 0-for-16 against Northern Michigan University and were a combined 0-for-24 in their last three games, giving them a season total of .149, 8th in the CCHA. The Lakers are also second to last in the CCHA in penalty killing with a giving up more than one per game with a kill rating of .771. The Lakers are averaging 1.75 goals per game through their first 6 games this season. The Lakers are still out-shooting their opponents by over three shots per game. WMU is looking to extend their winning streak to 4 games this weekend. Under former coach Frank Anzalone the Lakers where 3-4-1 against WMU. LSSU lead the all-time series 60-37-11. WMU is lead by, Junior center Paul Szczechura and sophomore goaltender Daniel Bellissimo the reigning Offensive Player of the week and Goaltender of the week in the CCHA. Szczechura scored a power play goal and had six assists leading the Broncos to a weekend sweep over Ohio State University Last weekend. Bellissimo stopped 73 of 78 shots (.936 percentage) finishing the weekend with a 2.50 goals against average.