Lakers Resume Holiday Break Early

The Lakers lost their second straight game at the TBay Tel Varsity Cup on Friday afternoon, before catching the bus home early Saturday morning, the Lakers ended the tournament 1-2-0. St.. Francis Xavier forward Stuart McRae scored 21 seconds into the game to give the X-Men the early lead. LSSU dominated the rest of the first period but where unable to capitalize on several scoring chances. Dan Eaves scored a power play goal by deflecting a pass off of a LX defenseman and into the net at 6:18 of the second period. Nathan Ward scored a second power play goal three seconds later to make it 3-2, Barnabas Birkeland and Troy Schwab assisted on the goal. The Lakers scored the game tying goal with just over 3 minutes left in the game, but the goal was called back on a high stick call. St.. Francis Xavier made it 4-2 by adding an empty net goal with less than a minute to play in the game. Shots during the game where 43-27 shots in Lakers favor Lake Superior was 2-13 on the power play while holding St. Francis Xavier to 0 for 3. The Lakers will resume home action on Friday, January 6 when they play host to Western Michigan University. The puck will drop at 7:35 p.m. at Taffy Abel Arena. The Lakers faced the Broncos earlier this season when they swept WMU 10-0 and 3-1 in Kalamazoo, Mich.

LSSU Comeback Falls Short Against Experienced Calgary Squad

LSSU used their second exhibition game of the TBay Tel Varsity Cup, against Calgary, to get some of their players ice time who have been unable to crack the regular lineup this season. Coach Jim Roque used the opportunity to provide Senior Goaltender Will Ciccone with some much deserved playing time. The veteran Calgary Dinos, whose roster is dominated by former Western Hockey League players, put on an impressive display of forechecking and toppled the Lakers by a score of 6-1 Thursday afternoon in the second day of TBay Tel Varsity Cup action. Nathan Ward scored the lone goal for the Lakers. The Dinos were led by Colin Mcrae with 3 goals and an assist, Brett O'Malley with a goal and 2 assists, Lonnie Tetley and Wes Reid each had a goal. Lake State was out shot by Calgary by a total of 40-21.

Lakers take first game of TBAY TEL Varsity Cup

Lake Superior State University, who hasn’t lost to a Canadian University since 1997, dominated the Lakehead Thunderwolves in the Lakers opening game of the TBAY TEL Varsity Cup. LSSU shutout Lakehead 4-0 Wednesday evening, with goaltender Jeff Jakaitis posting his second shutout in the past three games (the TBAY TEL Varsity Cup counts as exhibition for the Lakers and statistics do not count toward NCAA). LSSU goaltender, Jeff Jakaitis, who has played in 19 of the Lakers 20 games this season, was a surprise start for the Lakers against the Thunderwolves. “It was kind of getting to be a grind, I played a lot of games before Christmas,” Jakaitis said. “It felt fresh after the break. I think it was just one of those things; it just seemed like no matter what I did I was in the right place.” The first period ended with both teams tied 0-0, even though LSSU dominated the flow of play including a breakaway by Derek A. Smith that was stopped by Lakehead goaltender Chris Whitley. The flow of the second period was controlled by Lakehead with Jakaitis keeping the Lakers in the contest, making several good saves. Josh Sim (9:55 assisted by Troy Schwab and Kory Scoran) and Jeff Rainville (10:00 unassisted) opened the scoring for the Lakers scoring goals 5 seconds apart midway through the second period. Dan Eves was credited with the third goal of the game, at 16:19 of the second period, when the puck slipped by Whitley on the power play on a shot originally from Derek A. Smith. Eves added his second goal of the game at 8:40 of the third period taking a lead pass from Trent Campbell as he came out of the penalty box and snapping a shot under the cross-bar on the breakaway. Lake Superior State out-shot Lakehead, 43-37. LSSU was 1 for 5 on the power play while Lakehead was held scoreless in 5 opportunities. The Lakers will meet Calgary Thursday afternoon at 4:05 p.m. The Dinos lost the first game of the tournament 5-4 in overtime to the St. Francis Xavier X-Men.

Two Former Indians Commit to LSSU

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders forward Nik Sellers (Plymouth, MI) and defenseman Steven Kaunisto (Sault Ste. Marie, MI) have both committed to Lake Superior State University. "We're very excited for both Nik and Steven," said RoughRiders coach and general manager Mark Carlson "They've come in and done a very good job of working hard every day and filling important roles for us." Both Sellers and Kaunisto are in their first year with the RoughRiders after playing for the Soo Indians of the North American Hockey League last season. Sellers, 19, has scored nine goals and totaled 17 points in 26 games with the Riders this season. Sellers is also tied for the league lead with four game winning goals. Last season Sellers led the Indians in assists (37) and points (48) and finished seventh in the NAHL in assists. This season marks Sellers' return to the United States Hockey League- two years ago the Plymouth, Michigan, native skated in the USHL for the Danville Wings. Sellers was part of Indians squad that finished third at 2005 Junior A National Championship, in which he led the Soo with 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 14 postseason games. Sellers was selected by the Plymouth Whalers in the twelfth round of the May, 2002 Ontario Hockey League draft with the two hundred fortieth overall choice. Kaunisto, also 19, has picked up eight assists in 26 games with the Riders this season. The Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, native arrived in Cedar Rapids after scoring one goal and totaling six points in 41 North American League games last season. Kaunisto was part of Soo Indians squad that finished third at 2005 Junior A National Championship. Kaunisto scored one goal and notched three points in fourteen NAHL playoff games in 2005. Prior to playing in the NAHL Kaunisto was a 2002-03 All Big North Conference selection and Honorable Mention All-State while playing for Sault Ste. Marie High School. Lake Superior State is currently 10-6-2 overall and is in third place in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association with a 6-6-2 conference record.

Lakers Head North of the Border

From the Lakehead Sports Information Department The Lakehead Thunderwolves are proud to present the fourth annual TBAYtel Varsity Cup tournament this Dec. 28-31 at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay. This year's edition of the tournament sees Lakehead welcome back two teams that have been in the tourney previously; the St. Francis Xavier X-Men of the AUS conference and the Calgary Dinos of the Canada West conference. As well, Lakehead is very happy to welcome the NCAA Division I No. 18 Lake Superior State Lakers of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). The Lakers will be taking part in the Varsity Cup for the first time and are the first NCAA Division I team to join the tourney. In the first Varsity Cup; the host Thunderwolves came out the victors. But, since then, the UNB Varsity Reds claimed the Varsity Cup two consecutive years. This year will pit four very strong teams against each other in the traditional three-day round robin tournament format from Dec. 28-30, followed by the championship game on Dec. 31. None of the four teams have played each other this season. TBAYtel Varsity Cup Tournament Schedule: Dec. 28: Calgary vs. St. Francis Xavier, 4:00 PM Dec. 28: Lake Superior State vs Lakehead, 7:30 PM Dec. 29: Lake Superior State vs. Calgary, 4:00 PM Dec. 29: St. Francis Xavier vs. Lakehead, 7:30 PM Dec. 30: Lake Superior State vs. St. Francis Xavier, 4:00 PM Dec. 30: Lakehead vs. Calgary Varsity Cup, 7:30 PM Dec. 31: Final (Teams TBD), 2:00 PM This year all seven games of the tournament will be video webcast live as Lakehead is partnering with News-cast.com of Fredericton, New Brunswick to bring the exciting tournament action to hockey fans in Canada and the USA. The games will be webcast on a pay-per-view basis at CDN $7.95 per game or $26.95 for a Deluxe Seven Game Tourney Pass. To order; go to http://www.news-cast.com/events/index.html. Lakehead Thunderwolves: The host Thunderwolves are looking forward to regaining the Varsity Cup. Last season, they came close but lost to UNB in the tourney final. This year's edition of the Thunderwolves is very quick and talented and backed by strong goaltending. Lakehead is third in the tough OUA Far West Division with an 8-4-2 conference record (xx overall) behind Top 10 ranked Western and Waterloo and the Thunderwolves have the sixth best record in the 16-team OUA at the Christmas Break. Lakehead is 0-1 lifetime against Lake Superior State, 2-1 vs. St. FX, and 2-3 against Calgary. Lakehead Head Coach Pete Belliveau believes this will be the best Varsity Cup ever. "I honestly think this year's edition will be the best tournament yet, with lots of parity. On the final day of this tournament, there will be two very good teams who will not be playing, so our fans can expect high intensity, physical hockey during all seven games. Points will be hard to earn so execution, discipline, and goaltending will be the key. We are very happy to welcome Calgary and St. FX back and also very excited in hosting the Lake Superior State for their first time at the Varsity Cup. I think Lakehead fans are in for a real treat." Lakehead features team captain and Sullivan Trophy Winner Joel Scherban anchoring the first line. Scherban (8 goals, 9 assists; 9th OUA) set the Lakehead Hockey All Time scoring mark in November and looks to set a mark that will stand for some time to come by the time this season is over. Lakehead fans can also expect the Kenora Komet, Jeff Richards (8 goals, 11 assists; 5th OUA, 16th CIS), to be a key offensive catalyst as well as smooth playmaker Peter Cava. Richards will most likely set the Lakehead all-time goal scoring mark this season as he and Scherban are both approaching that record as well. Richards is averaging more than 2 points a game in regular season play; tops among CIS scoring leaders. Linemate Peter Cava is also a threat with 3 goals and 7 assists. Forwards Mark Robinson (5 goals, 4 assists), Brad Priestlay (1 goal, 2 assists), Andrew Brown (2 goals, 3 assists), Shandor Alphonso (2 goals, 3 assists), and Dan Speer (3 goals, 2 assists) are also dangerous as are proven Lakehead veterans Murray Magill (1 goal, 5 assists) and Jason Lange (4 goals, 7 assists). Lange showed great form in the final games heading into the holiday break. Tobias Whelan is also back from injury and should be a force at the Varsity Cup. Key forward Mike Wehrstedt (4 goals, 4 assists) will not see action at the tourney but will rejoin the Wolves in January. The Wolves have a deep and talented defensive corps led by CIS All Canadian Erik Lodge (2 goals, 3 assists) and offensive star Mike Jacobsen (4 goals, 6 assists). Hugo Lehoux , Steve Rawski (2 assists), Mike Self (4 assists), Kris Callaway and Drew Kivell (7 assists) will also be key on the Lakehead blue line. Newcomers Matt Jacques (2 goals, 1 assist) and Dan Rogers (2 goals, 3 assists) have also played well. The Thunderwolves goaltending tandem of Grant McCune (2-2, GAA of 2.89, 0.907 SV%) and Chris Whitley (6-2-2, GAA of 1.91, 0.931 SV%) are excellent and either can start between the pipes and both provide an excellent final line of defense in the Lakehead goal. Calgary Dinos The Dinos return to Thunder Bay on a mission; to capture the elusive Varsity Cup in their third attempt. The Dinos are 8-5-1 (11-10-1 overall) in Canada West play and are second to Alberta in the Mountain Division. Head Coach Scott Atkinson and his team have made it to the tourney finals twice and this year hope to take the final step and claim the Varsity Cup. Atkinson said he loves the great atmosphere at the Fort William Gardens and his team is proud to be back at the Varsity Cup. "On behalf of everyone involved with the Dinos Hockey Program we would like to express our appreciation for once again having the opportunity to participate in this year's 2005 Varsity Cup. As the lone Canada West team in this year's tournament we will take great pride representing our conference. The Thunderwolves Hockey Organization has succeeded in creating Canada's premier university hockey tournament and the fans at the Fort William Garden generate a game atmosphere that is second to none." Calgary had a strong recruiting year and the young, big, and fast Dinos have been playing very well in the first half of the Canada West regular season. The Dinos recorded a shutout win against their arch-rivals, the Alberta Golden Bears. Calgary has been ranked in the CIS Top 10 during the first half of the regular season as well. Calgary has 12 first year players and the youthful team has been playing like veterans. The Dinos have a lot of firepower this year including players like assistant captain Colin McRae (8 goals, 5 assists; 13th Can West), freshman Jarret Lukin (5 goals, 16 assists: 2nd Can West, 9th CIS) Ryan Annesley (7 goals, 13 assists; 3rd Can West, 13th CIS), freshman Brett O'Malley (6 goals, 4 assists), Andre Blanchette (3 goals, 7 assists), and Wes Reid 4 (4 goals, 5 assists). Captain Brett Thurston (1 goal, 5 assists) anchors the Dinos blueliners along with Wade Davis (2 goals, 5 assists) and Travis George. The Dinos carry three able goalies; starter Scott Talbot (6-3-4, 3.20 GAA, 0.910 SV%), backup and Acadia transfer Mike Lencucha (1-0-3, 4.54 GAA, 0.840 SV%), and third netminder Jean-Francois Martel. The Dinos have captured 8 Canada West Championships: 1973-74, 1975-76, 1979-80, 1985-86, 1987-88, 1989-90, 1994-95, and 1995-96. St. Francis Xavier X-Men The X-Men return to the Varsity Cup for their second appearance. The X-Men's game against Lakehead in the first Varsity Cup in 2002 (a close 5-3 X-Men victory settled with an empty netter) is still remembered as one of the best university games played at the Gardens. The X-Men are in sixth in the AUS this season with an 8-7 record (11-10 overall) and have been ranked in the CIS Top 10. Interim Head Coach Brad Peddle will bring a young, but very talented and deep squad that executes very well. He said his team is looking forward to the challenge. "We are very excited about playing at the Varsity Cup Tourney. We will get to test ourselves against three strong university programs and we are ready to play." Key returning players are Captain Ryan Walsh (14 goals, 8 asssists; 7th CIS, 4th AUS), Stuart MacRae (6 goals, 18 assists; 5th CIS, 3rd AUS) and Ryan Armstrong (3 goals, 4 assists). Walsh is the sniper while MacRae is the playmaker and both are ranked among the top AUS and CIS scorers. Another scorer to watch is Colin Circelli (3 goals, 10 assists) while Justin Sudas is a very able blueliner. X has two excellent netminders in Ryan Aschaber (6-6-0, 2.99 GAA, 0.910 SV%) and Tyson Kellerman (2-1-2, 5.13 GAA, 0.830 SV%). This year's squad has added 10 freshman including defensemen Sam Roberts (1 goal, 8 assists) and Will Colbert (1 goal, 6 assists) and forwards Nick Lees (8 goals, 2 assists), Brett Trudell (2 goals, 6 assists), and Ryan Salvis (3 goals, 6 assists). Roberts, Lees, and Salvis have all been producing offensively for X in the first half of the regular season. St. FX has won one Canadian Universities (CIS) National Championship (2004) and were CIS finalists in 2001 and 2003. They have won 24 Atlantic University Conference (AUS) titles: 1929, `36, '37, '41, '43-`46, '50-`52, '54-`59, '63, `66-68, `76,'78, and 2004. Lake Superior State Lakers The No. 18 Lakers travel to Thunder Bay from fellow Lake Superior city Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan with the intention of carrying the Varsity Cup to the south shore for the first time. The Lakers are 6-6-2 in CCHA play (10-4-2 overall) and are in third place in the 10-team conference at the halfway mark of the season. The exhibition outing should see many of LSSU's lesser seen players get ice time. Head Coach Jim Roque said his team is thrilled to take part in the tournament. "Obviously we're very excited to head up to Thunder Bay and take part in the Varsity Cup Tournament. Here at Lake State, we've had a lot of players from Thunder Bay in the 70s, 80s, and 90s so we're thrilled to get to play in front of some of our alumni as well. We've only heard fantastic things about this tournament so we know the fans are in for some great hockey and we're really looking forward to it." Coach Roque, a native of Sudbury, Ontario, is in his first season with the Lakers and played his university hockey for the Lakers. His squad has been playing well in the first half of the regular season; recording wins over team like Colgate, Western Michigan, Bemidji State, and Notre Dame. They also defeated York early in the preseason in their only game against a CIS opponent this year. The Lakers have returned 22 players from last year's team and have added five freshmen. Players to watch are excellent goaltender Jeff Jakaitis (9-6-4, GAA of 2.01, 0.918 SV%), forward Trent Campbell (6 goals, 8 assists), forward Nathan Ward (3 goals, 7 assists), defenseman Kory Scoran and forward Jon Booras (1 goal, 2 assists). Forwards Dominic Osman (6 goals, 2 assists), Colin Nicholson (4 goals, 4 assists) and Dan Eves (4 goals, 3 assists) can put the puck in the net. Defensemen Steve McJannet (4 goals, 5 assists) and Barnabas Birkeland (1 goal, 8 assists) can supply offense from the blue line. The freshman include four Canadians; forward Troy Schwab (4 goals, 8 assists; Kindersley, Sask.), forward Josh Sim (2 goals, 4 assists; Saskatoon, Sask.), defenseman Matt Wheeler (1 assist; Arcola, Sask.), forward Jason Miller (1 assist; Rocanville, Sask.), as well as star freshman defenseman Marty Gurnoe (1 goal, 6 assists) from Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

LSSU leads the way on USA Olympic roster

Three former Lakers where named the USA Olympic hockey team on Monday. Doug Weight, Brian Rolston, and John Grahame have all been named the represent the United States at the XX Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. LSSU and Boston University each placed three former players on the Olympic team; no school placed more players on the roster. Doug Weight, from Warren Michigan, played at Lake Superior State from 1989-91, tallying 50 goals and 94 assists in 88 games. Weight has gone on to play 939 games in the NHL scoring 230 goals and 621 assists for the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, and St. Louis Blues. The Torino Olympics will be Weight’s 9th opportunity to represent the USA. He has played in 50 international games since 1991 scoring 10 goals and 38 assists. Weight participated in both the 1998 and 2002 Olympics, but has been held goalless and has recorded only 5 assists in 10 games. Brian Rolston, from Flint Michigan, played at LSSU from 1991-93, scoring 51 goals and 59 assists in 80 games. Rolston has played 768 games in the NHL for the New Jersey Devils, Corlorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins, and is currently playing for the Minnesota Wild. Rolston has scored 205 goals and assisted on 257 others. Rolston will be playing on for team USA for the 9th time, including playing for the national team during the 1993-94 season. Rolston has recorded 40 goals and 45 assists in 88 games wearing the red, white and blue, including scoring 7 goals in 8 games at the 1994 Olympics. John Grahame played for Lake Superior State University from 1994-97 appearing in 94 games, recording 56 wins. Grahame has played in 148 games in his NHL career with the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lighting. Grahame has appeared in 26 games this year for the defending Stanley Cup Champion Lighting. Grahame will be making his third appearance for the national team at Torino this February.

Schwab Named CCHA Rookie of the Week

Lake Superior State forward Troy Schwab earned his second Central Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Week honor this month after compiling three assists in last weekend's split at Notre Dame. The freshman forward, who was plus-3 for the series, assisted on Derek A. Smith's power-play goal and Mike Adamek's even-strength goal in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Irish. He also drew an assist on Adamek's goal in Sunday's 4-3 loss. Schwab is the Lakers' No. 2 scorer with four goals and eight assists. He also earned rookie of the week honors after LSSU's win over Alaska Fairbanks Dec. 2-3.

Notre Dame ends LSSU Unbeaten Streak

Despite a late surge by Lake Superior State (10-6-4, 6-6-2 CCHA), Notre Dame (6-11-1, 4-7-1 CCHA) ended LSSU’s unbeaten streak at 7 when they defeated the Lakers 4-3 on Sunday afternoon. LSSU fell behind early when Notre Dame's Tim Wallace scored 41 seconds into the game on a pass from Noah Babin. Wallace gave the Irish a two-goal lead by scoring his second goal of the game on a power play at 14:35. Brock Sheahan and T.J. Jindra assisted on the goal. Notre Dame took advantage of a power-play opportunity halfway through the second period to build a three-goal advantage. Babin scored the power-play goal, which was assisted by Wallace. Junior forward Trent Campbell scored the Lakers' first goal of the game at 14:09 of the second period. Nathan Ward and Steve McJannet drew the assist. At 2:46 of the third period, Mike Walsh increased Notre Dame's lead to 4-1, scoring his team's third power-play goal. Mike Adamek scored his second goal of the weekend, and third goal in 4 games, at 10:02 of the third period, trimming ND's lead to 4-2. Barnabas Birkeland and Troy Schwab assisted on the goal. With five minutes left in the game, the Lakers pulled goalie Jeff Jakaitis in order to have an extra attacker. Jakaitis went back in net after the linesman made a bonehead move and whistled play to a stop, thinking LSSU had too many men on the ice and not realizing the Lakers had pulled their goalie. The Lakers had an empty net again with 2:53 to go, Ward scored his third goal of the year to bring them within a goal of the Irish. Kory Scoran and McJannet had the assists. The Lakers again pulled Jakaitis, but failed to tie the score during the game's closing minute. The Lakers were 0-for-4 on the power play, while the Irish were 3-for-7. Notre Dame out-shot LSSU, 31-27.

Seven Straight

The Lake Superior State hockey team shut out Notre Dame 4-0 Saturday in Game one of a Central Collegiate Hockey Association series. Junior goaltender Jeff Jakaitis earned his third shutout win of the season, and the Lakers increased their unbeaten streak to seven games and moved into third place in the league standings. Despite being the two least-penalized teams in the CCHA, Lake Superior State (10-5-4, 6-5-2 CCHA) and Notre Dame (5-11-1, 3-6-1 CCHA) were penalized nine times in the first period alone. At 8:46, LSSU's Derek A. Smith scored his second goal of the season during a 5-on-3 power-play advantage. Barnabas Birkeland and Troy Schwab assisted on the goal. With six seconds left on LSSU's fourth power-play opportunity, Colin Nicholson scored to give the Lakers a 2-0 lead. Kory Scoran and captain Steve McJannet assisted on Nicholson's fourth goal of the season, which came at 10:30 of the opening period. Irish defender Tom Sawatske left the game at 16:40 of the first period after receiving a five-minute major penalty for hitting from behind and a 10-minute game misconduct penalty. Less than a minute into the major penalty Derek R. Smith was penalized two minutes for tripping, taking the game to four-on-four. Referee Mark Wilkins called for a penalty shot, but Notre Dame declined the penalty shot in order to have the Laker penalty take two minutes off of Lake Superior's five-minute power play. Notre Dame received its second power play of the game when Alex Dunn was sent to the penalty box for a delay of game penalty after accidentally knocking into the Irish net. The Irish were unable to convert during the 4-on-3 advantage. Entering the second period, the Lakers were still on the power play from Sawatske's major penalty. Dunn increased his team's lead to three by scoring 30 seconds into the period. Nathan Ward drew the assist as LSSU was 3-for-8 on the power play for the game. Senior forward Mike Adamek scored the Lakers' first even-strength goal of the game at 12:01 of the third period, giving LSSU a 4-0 lead. Schwab and Josh Sim assisted on the goal. Lake Superior State out-shot Notre Dame, 30-14. Notre Dame was scoreless on four power play opportunities. Jakaitis was named the Perani Cup first star of the game. Derek A. Smith earned a second star and Adamek a third star. The Lakers and the Fighting Irish will meet again Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. at the Joyce Center.

Lakers take Undefeated Streak to South Bend

Lake Superior State University’s (9-5-4, 5-5-2 CCHA) 18th ranked hockey team will play travel to South Bend, Indiana this weekend to take on former coach Jeff Jackson and the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-10-1, 3-6-1 CCHA). This weekend’s games will take place at the Joyce Center at 7:05 p.m. Saturday and 2:05 p.m. on Sunday. Lake Superior is looking to extend their 6 game unbeaten streak which has seen them go 5-0-1 including 3-0-1 against nationally ranked teams. Notre Dame is coming off a split with Minnesota State, and has won 2 of their last 3 games. Notre Dame has struggled this year, not beating a team with a better than .357 win percentage, the teams they have beaten have a combined record of 17-39-6. The Irish have been averaging 2.75 goals per game this season while also giving up 3.38 goals per game. ND's power play is ranked 8th in the CCHA with a .159 Power Play Percentage, while their penalty kill is ranked 11th in the CCHA with a .789 penalty kill percentage. Notre Dame has also surrendered 4 short handed goals on the season, while only being able to tally 1 themselves. ND is the least penalized team in the league averaging only 15.81 penalty minutes per game. LSSU went 1-12 on the power play last weekend in Bemidji and is currently ranked 5th in the CCHA with a .172 PP%. The Lakers are currently sixth in the CCHA in penalty killing giving up 16 goals in 18 games with a kill rating of .833. The Lakers lead the all-time series against the Irish, 22-16-4, but are 7-10-3 in South Bend. Last season the both games where tied 1-1 after regulation, but Jeff Rainville scored in overtime to give the Lakers the win. Prior to last years win and tie the Lakers had endured a 1-8-1 streak against the Irish. This is the only scheduled meeting of the two teams this season. LSSU goaltender Jeff Jakaitis is currently ranked third in the CCHA with a .918 SV%, and fourth in the CCHA with a 2.02 GAA. The Lakers are ranked second in the CCHA and sixth in the nation with a goals against average of 2.06. LSSU is offensively lead by Trent Campbell with 5 goals and 8 assists, Dominic Osman who has 6 goals and 2 assists, and Jeff Rainville who has 4 goals and 10 points on the season. ND is led offensively by junior Josh Sciba who has 10 goals and 14 points, after finishing last year 6-4-10, freshman Erik Condra, named CCHA rookie of the week on Monday, who has 3 goals and 12 assists on the season, and junior defenseman Wes O'Neill who is 2-11-13 on the season. Jeff Jackson has assigned the majority of Notre Dame’s goaltending responsibilities to junior David Brown who has compiled three wins and 7 losses in 12 games played. Brown has give up 4 goals or more in 4 appearances this season. Also seeing action for ND this year has been freshman Jordan Pearce who has 2 wins and 3 losses in 6 appearances. Pearce has a 3.80 GAA and has also given up 4 goals or more in 4 appearances this season.

Sault, Ontario, to honor LSSU Alumnus

The city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario will pay tribute to LSSU alumnus and former National Hockey League star, Ron Francis who retired in October after a distinguished 23-year professional hockey career. Francis received an honorary doctorate degree from Lake Superior State University in 1998. At its regular meeting Monday evening, the Sault city council passed a resolution declaring Thursday, February 23 as Ron Francis Day in Sault Ste. Marie. A committee consisting of councilor Steve Butland and local citizens Jerry Bumbacco, Gino Cavallo, Joe Maione will work on organizing events for the Francis tribute. The highlight day will be a public reception and dinner at the Marconi Club. Tickets are $50 per person and are now available from any committee member or at the Soo Pee Wee Arena. Francis has agreed to donate net proceeds from the dinner to the Pee Wee Hockey League to help offset registration and equipment costs for aspiring young players. Ron Francis, is a 23-year NHL veteran with the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Francis, 42, a 4-time NHL All-Star (1983, 1985, 1990, 1996) appeared in a total of 1,731 NHL games (which ranks him 3rd on the all-time list). His stellar career also included 549 goals (19th), 1,249 assists (2nd, behind Wayne Gretzky), and 1,798 total points (4th). Francis was known for playing the game with class, as his three Lady Byng Memorial Trophies (1995, 1998, 2002) will attest, and his Frank J. Selke Trophy (1995) solidified his reputation as an excellent all-around player. His Hall-Of-Fame career is highlighted by consecutive Stanley Cup victories in 1990-91 and 1991-92 with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 1991, Ron was awarded the Sault Ste. Marie Medal of Merit. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact any of the committee members: Gino Cavallo, 949-5638, Joe Maione, 949-5800, Jerry Bumbacco, 759-6604, or councillor Steve Butland, 949-1909.

Lake Superior State ranked 18th after 6 game unbeaten streak

The Lakers have broken into the USCHO.com top 20 for the first time in over 5 years. The Lakers are currently ranked 18th receiving 93 points with their current record of 9-5-4. The last time the Lakers where ranked was on October 16, 2000, when they where ranked 12th after starting the season 3-0-0. http://www.uscho.com/rankings/?data=uscho1m&season=20002001&week=1016

Jakaitis named CCHA Goalie of the Week

Lake Superior State junior goaltender Jeff Jakaitis (Rochester, Minn.) earned his second Central Collegiate Hockey Association Goaltender of the Week honor for 2005-06 after blocking 66-of-69 shots (.956) during last weekend's non-conference series at Bemidji State. Jakaitis, who had his first 40-save peformance since last February, totaled 25 saves in Friday's 2-1 victory and 41 saves in Saturday's 2-2 tie. Jakaitis is currently ranked 10th nationally in goals-against at 2.01 and 17th in save percentage (.918). Other CCHA player of the week honors went to Michigan's Brandon Kaleniecki (offensive), Ohio State's Sean Collins (defenseman) and Notre Dame's Erik Condra (rookie). Jakaitis was also named CCHA Goaltender of the Week on Nov. 7 following the Lakers' sweep at Western Michigan. He has received the award three times.

Lakers Skate Home with Peters/Mason Cup

The Lake Superior State University Hockey team was able to skate away with the Peters/Mason Cup in its inaugural awarding Saturday night after tying Bemidji State 2-2. The Lakers where able to hold BSU scoreless for the first two periods of game for the second night in a row, on Saturday night. This is the first time that BSU has been held scoreless for the first two periods in both games of a home series in the program’s DI era, dating back to 1999. LSSU was able to get onto the board halfway into the game (10:21 of the second period), just after successfully killing off a 5-3 opportunity, with a short handed goal by Kory Scoran, assisted by Trent Campbell. Bemidji was able to knot the game at 1-1 with an even strength goal at the beginning (2:15) of the third period. The Lakers scored what looked to be the series sweeping goal with just 2:23 left in the third period when Colin Nicholson scored on a top shelf backhand from in front of the net, assisted once again by Trent Campbell. Bemidji State battled back again and knotted the game at 2-2 with a goal by Rob Sirianni with just 1:26 remaining in regulation. In overtime LSSU was able to muster 2 shots on goal to BSU’s 4 shots. Lake State was awarded the Peters/Mason Cup following the game due to their win on Friday night. Laker goalie Jeff Jakaitis stopped 41 of the 43 shots he faced including all 4 shots he faced during overtime. BSU goaltender Layne Sedevie allowed 2 goals on 24 shots. LSSU went 0 for 5 on the power play. 1-12 on the weekend, while BSU went 0 for 6 on the power play, 1-9 on the weekend; faceoffs where dominated by BSU finishing out at 49-34. “I’ll tell you something Lake Superior State is a good hockey team; I’m glad we only play then twice this year.” Bemidji State University head coach Tom Serratore said after the game. LSSU will square off against former coach Jeff Jackson Saturday and Sunday at Notre Dame. The teams play at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday and 2:05 on Sunday.

Lakers Make it five in a row

After two scoreless periods of hockey, including a second period in which the Lake Superior State University (9-5-3) was able to hold 17th ranked Bemidji State (9-4-0) to only three shots, the Lakers broke the stalemate with a Sault Native Marty Gurnoe scoring his first college goal at 7:30 of the third period on the power play, assisted by Trent Campbell. Bemidji was able to tie the game on their third power play of the night with a goal by Rob Sirianni at 12:21 of the third period. Mike Adamek, playing in his first game of the season, scored the game winning goal at 14:19 of the third period, assisted by Josh Sim. LSSU hockey is now 5-3-1 against nationally ranked opponents. Laker goalie Jeff Jakaitis stopped 25 of the 26 shots he faced including 5 of 6 while shorthanded. BSU goaltender Matt Climie allowed 2 goals on 23 shots. LSSU was out shot by their opponent 26 shots to 23 shots. Look for BSU junior Layne Sedevie to get the nod in goal Saturday night; the Beavers are 6-0 with him in between the pipes. LSSU went 1 for 7 on the power play while BSU went 1 for 3 on the power play; Faceoffs where dominated by BSU by greater than a two to one margin 49-23. LSSU will faceoff against BSU again Saturday night at 8:05 eastern time. Photo courtesy of: http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/

CCHA Fan Roundtable

1. In 50 words or less, give a quick overview of your team's season so far. There is a lot of excitement with the Laker team. Former Laker Jim Roque was named the Lakers 9th head coach this summer; he is the second former player to hold the position. Winning is always good too, the Lakers are 3rd in the CCHA, good to see them on the top half of the league. 2. What is the general consensus among fans about your team? (Is your coach a God among men or an incompetent fool that should be attacked by a swarm of bees? Do people at your school even realize that you have a hockey team? etc.) Laker fans are excited to see the Lakers performing so well this season. They have had some bad outings, but they have played much better at time this year than they have in the past few years. 3. What does your team need to do better in the second half to improve? As is a continuing theme with the Lakers scoring is needed. The Lakers really need a couple of guys to step up and score some goals, LSSU hasn’t had a 20 goal scorer since 1996-97. 4. Who is your team's star player and how has his season been going? Again this year the consensus team MVP would be workhorse goaltender Jeff Jakaitis. Jeff is currently ranked ninth in the nation with a 2.09 GAA, and has posted a 908 SV%. 5. Who on your team doesn't receive the credit that he deserves? Junior Defenseman Barnabas Birkeland leads the team with a +5, and is tied for the team lead with 6 assists. 6. Who is your favorite player to watch? Freshman forward Troy Schwab is by far the smallest player on the LSSU roster, but he plays a big game. Schwab currently has 4 goals and 5 assists on the season. 7. Who or what has been the biggest surprise for your team this season? Dominic Osman has returned to the Lakers lineup, and leads the team with 6 goals, after missing all but 12 games last season due to suffering a major back injury. Osman was the Lakers' leading scorer as a freshman in 2003-04. 8. What is going on with your team's goalie situation? Jeff Jakaitis is the goaltending workhorse for the Lakers, baring an injury he will play all the CCHA games. The Lakers brought in Vince Wheeler this fall, he has played in 2 games, Wheeler probably won’t see much playing time until the 2007-08 season. 9. Where do you see your team in 3 months? Not to overlook the Lakers January schedule but they play Michigan, MSU, and NMU in February. If the Lakers can survive Feburary they may have home ice come the CCHA playoffs. The Lakers have shown the can play which every team they have faced, so anything is possible. 10. Who will you be saddest to see leave at the end of the season? The Lakers will be graduating 12 seniors at the end of this year. Captain Steve McJannet has stepped up in his career, he has been asked to play forward and defense while at LSSU and has been one of LSSU’s top scoring defenseman during this time. 11. Who are you most excited about joining your team next season? 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. George finished second in the league in scoring last year behind current Laker Troy Schwab. 12. What has been the highlight of the season so far? The Lakers are over .500 against nationally ranked team, including scoring a victory against 2nd ranked Miami. Here is a link to hear what others had to say about their teams: http://westerncollegehockey.blogspot.com/2005/12/college-hockey-roundtable-discussion-1.html

2005-06 Laker hockey captains aren't afraid to start new traditions

By LINDSEY MECHALIK, LSSU Sports Information Student Intern Senior captain Steve McJannet and senior assistant captains Nathan Ward, Jon Booras, and Ren Fauci aren't afraid to start new traditions as Laker hockey enters its 40th year. "We are starting to do things differently than we have done in the past," McJannet said about changes his team has made this year. "Our salute to the crowd after the games has been different and is something that we came up with. We helped change around the locker room to make it feel more like a locker room and not an office building. We were trying to create more atmosphere." McJannet hopes that his senior class will set a good example for this year's freshman class. "We have worked so hard for three years and it shows," McJannet said. "The freshman coming in saw the shape that we were in. They know when they come back as sophomores what will be expected of them. They know they have to work hard in the summers in order to come back and get better and better each year." McJannet is happy with the way the season is starting out, especially after his team's weekend sweep of Robert Morris - the Lakers' second series sweep of the season and first home sweep since October, 2002. "This year is going really well so far," McJannet said prior to the Lakers' victories over Alaska Fairbanks for their second straight home sweep. "There is a lot of positive energy around the rink this year from the coaches on down. It is showing among the players on and off the ice. It was nice to sweep this weekend. We set a goal to win the next four games. We are more concerned with trying to sweep in conference games. Big conference wins are going to mean a lot." McJannet's focus as captain is "doing the right thing at the important moments. On the ice I try to be working hard all of the time. I try and go hard every shift during games. I think things like that rub off on other guys. The only other duties are making sure things are done around the locker room, and that the guys know where they are supposed to be and when, and are on time." McJannet is looking forward to the rest of the season and has noticed a positive change in his team this year. "I want to see us get better and better and gain momentum towards playoffs," McJannet said. "Guys this year aren't afraid to be themselves. Each guy is bringing in something different. The positive energy has really helped." For him, being named captain is one of McJannet's greatest achievements. "My highlight has been being named captain of the team," McJannet said. "I never thought that would ever happen. As a freshman, I came in not knowing where I would go. I hardly played at all at first. I played once in a while for half of my freshman year. It has been a privilege to be named captain this year. When you look at the past captains, it is great to follow in their footsteps." McJannet appreciates the continued support of past Laker hockey teams. "It is great to see some of the past Laker players still giving their support to the team," McJannet said. "It is great to see guys around like Dean Dixon and Doug Laprade. We have a lot of guys who still come up to watch games. Dean Dixon drove to Kalamazoo to come to our practices while we were there. You know playing Laker hockey meant a lot to them and still does. They are still following us and still love Laker hockey. Things like that rub off on the rest of the team." McJannet is part of the largest incoming freshman class of Laker hockey. It started with 15 players, and 12 are still here. "It is awesome to be part of such a large senior class," McJannet said. "I have 12 great friendships in the seniors. I will have friends from all over North America. At the end of the year we are going to go on a senior trip to Mexico or someplace like that."

LSSU travel to Bemidji to renew ICHA rivalry

The Lake Superior State University (8-5-3, 5-5-2 CCHA) hockey team will take the 15 hour plus bus ride to Bemidji, Minnesota to take on the 17th-ranked Bemidji State Beavers Hockey team (9-3-0) in non-conference action. This is the first appearance for the Lakers in Bemidji since 1974. LSSU have a tremendous history with Bemidji. Bemidji State was the first American school that then LSSC played in 1966 after the founding of the team. The teams consistently played one another in the NAIA Tournament, cementing their ICHA rivalry, including the Lakers toping Bemidji 4-3 in 1974 to win their second NAIA national title. Bemidji went on to become an NAIA and NCAA III powerhouse until its hockey program turned Division I in 1999. Lake Superior is looking to extend their current win streak to 6 coming off home sweep over University Alaska Fairbanks this past weekend, extending their longest win streak since the 1997-98 season. Bemidji split their home series last weekend against Niagara, losing 3-4 on Friday and winning 8-1 on Saturday. Ferris and Niagara are the only teams over .500 on the Bemidji schedule todate, they have split these two series. The Beavers has the third highest offensive output in the NCAA this season averaging 3.92 goals per game while giving up 2.50 goals per game. Bemidji's power play is ranked 2nd in the College Hockey America with a .190 Power Play Percentage, while their penalty kill is tops in the CHA with a .872 penalty kill percentage. Bemidji is averaging 22.2 penalty minutes per game. LSSU’s power play is ranked third in the CCHA averaging 1.31 PPG a game and a .182 power play percentage. The Lakers are currently seventh in the CCHA in penalty killing giving up 15 goals in 16 games with a kill rating of .828. LSSU leads the all-time series against Bemidji with an overall record of 20-16-1. Last season the Lakers beat the Beavers 5-4 in overtime before falling the next night 3-1. LSSU goaltender Jeff Jakaitis is currently ranked ninth in the nation with a 2.09 GAA, and eighth in the CCHA with a .908 SV%. The Lakers are ranked second in the CCHA with a goals against average of 2.12. LSSU is offensively lead by Dominic Osman who has 6 goals in 14 games, and Trent Campbell who has 5 goals and 10 points on the season. Bemidji is led offensively by junior Luke Erickson who has 9 goals and 17 points in 12 games this year, after finishing last year 11-27-38, and defenseman Andrew Martens who has 3 goals and 13 points. Bemidji has used two goaltenders this season with junior Laune Sedevie recording 6 wins in 6 appearances posting a 1.67 GAA, and .943 SV%, sophomore Matt Climie has three wins in 6 appreances posting a 3.35 GGA and .892 SV%. A traveling trophy, the Peters/Mason Cup, has been established and will be awarded to the team that wins the Saturday night game of the series. The traveling trophy has been named after former coaches R.H. “Bob” Peters of BSU and Ron Mason of LSSU, the two winningest hockey coaches in NCAA history. Plans are for the two teams to schedule each other for the forseeable future. In the short term, Serratore said, LSSU will return to BSU next season with the Beavers scheduled to head back to LSSU in 2007-08.

Schwab named Rookie of the Week

Lake Superior State freshman forward Troy Schwab, F (Kindersley, SK), was named Central Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Week after helping the Lakers to a 4-2, 3-2 sweep over Alaska Fairbanks last weekend. Schwab (4-5-9) had an assist on Friday and a third-period goal on Saturday as the Lakers swept UAF and have won four in a row for the first time since the 1997-98 season. Last season Schwab named the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League's Top Scorer and received the E.E. Henning Memorial Trophy for being the SJHL's Most Valuable Player after totaling 25 goals and 60 assists in 51 games for the Kindersley Klippers (29-23-3). Schwab also finished second on the team in penalty minutes with 162 and was twice named SJHL Player of the Week during his final Junior A season. Troy spent four seasons with the Klippers and teamed with Laker forward Josh Sim to win the Anavet Cup in 2003-04. The LSSU line of senior Nathan Ward, junior Trent Campbell and Schwab was responsible for three of the the Lakers' seven goals for the weekend. LSSU plays a non-conference series at Bemidji State on Dec. 9-10.

Merry Christmas (a little early)

On Sunday evening, the BlueLiners hosted their annual Lakers Xmas Dinner with all of the players/staff. Here are a few pictures of the event.

Lakers make it four in a row

The Lake Superior State hockey team succeeded in its goal of sweeping its four-game homestand by polishing off this weekend's series with 16th-ranked Alaska Fairbanks with a 3-2 victory. The Lakers twice came back from one-goal deficits to win the game and improve to 8-5-3 overall and 5-5-2 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. They moved up to at least a tie for fourth place in the league. They also improved to 4-3-1 against ranked opponents this season. After a scoreless first period, UAF (6-6-2 overall, 4-5-1 CCHA) took a 1-0 lead on a power-play goal by Kyle Jones at 13:21 of the second period. LSSU's Colin Nicholson tied it with an unassisted goal at 17:57. The Nanooks regained the one-goal edge on Kyle Greentree's 5-on-3 power-play goal at 4:15 of the third period. The Lakers killed off the remaining 1:44 of the second penalty and dominated the rest of the third period. Troy Schwab tied it 2-2 at 6:24, and Nathan Ward scored the game-winner at 9:54 during a three-man rush that included Trent Campbell and Marty Gurnoe. Ward and Campbell also assisted on Schwab's goal. UAF pulled goaltender Chad Johnson in favor of an extra attacker with 1:07 to go, but LSSU secured the win when the Nanooks picked up a penalty with 17 seconds left. The Lakers out-shot UAF 13-5 in the third period and 22-20 for the game. LSSU goaltender Jeff Jakaitis improved his record to 7-5-3. LSSU was 1-for-9 on the power play, while UAF finished 2-for-7. The Lakers play their next seven games on the road, beginning with a non-conference series Dec. 9-10 in Bemidji, Minn., against old-time rival Bemidji State.

Lakers extend win streak to three

Referee, Barry Pochmara, got both Lake Superior State University and University of Alaska Fairbanks special teams involved during the first period of Friday’s game, calling 8 minor penalties in the first stanza. Lake Superior State University found its penalty killing unit on the ice just 16 seconds into the game, due to a tripping penalty called on Derek R. Smith. The big momentum setter for the game came midway through the first period with Nathan Ward being called for slashing in front of his own net just 27 seconds into a penalty kill. LSSU was able to score the only goal of the first period with junior Dominic Osman finding the back of the net on the power play with less than 3 minutes to play in the period (17:14), for his team leading 6th goal, assists went to Barnabas Birkeland and Restoule. Laker Trent Campbell was not content with letting Osman run away with the team scoring lead so he knocked in a power play goal of his own at 8:30 of the second period with assists going to Nathan Ward and Troy Schwab. Captain Steve McJannet scored a short handed goal for the Lakers 15:16 of the second period to give the Lakers a commanding three goal lead. Alaska Fairbanks freshman Kyle Jones cut the lead to two goals with his even strength goal at 16:57 of the second, assisted by Nathan Fornataro and Kyle Greentree. McJannet extended the Laker lead to three goals again with an even strength goal coming at 7:11 of the third period, assisted by Derek R. Smith. UAF’s Darcy Campbell was able to knock in a goal while UAF was playing 6 on 4 hockey with 35 seconds remaining in the game. Laker goalie Jeff Jakaitis stopped 19 of the 21 shots he faced including 9 of 10 while shorthanded, and 4 of 5 with UAF having two additional attackers. UAF sophomore goaltender Wylie Rogers allowed 4 goals on 32 shots. LSSU once again out shot their opponent putting up 32 shots to 23 shots for UAF. LSSU went 2 for 8 on the power play while UAF went 1 for 6 on the power play; UAF had two additional attackers when they scored their goal due to the empty net. Faceoffs where amazing close with Fairbanks holding a 37-36 lead over the Lakers. LSSU locks heads with UAF Saturday night at 7:05.