LSSU shutout by OSU in CCHA opener

In a battle of two anemic offenses Friday night a Lake Superior State special team’s miscue cost LSSU a point in CCHA play. Ohio State’s penalty kill was able to force a turnover by poke-checking the puck around LSSU freshman defenseman Simon Gysbers playing the point on the power play, allowing Ohio State’s Tommy Goebel to score an unassisted short-handed goal on Lake Superior State’s senior goaltender Jeff Jakaitis. This was the third scoring change that OSU was able to create during this LSSU power play. LSSU was able to start the game strong, tallying 11 of their 22 shots in the first period, but fell off in the second and third periods in which OSU out shot them 35 to 11, giving Ohio State a 44-22 lead on the game. Laker goaltender Jeff Jakaitis totaled 43 saves in the game, while being barraged by OSU shots and bodies as the buckeyes took several opportunities to run the Laker net minder. Ohio State’s Joseph Palmer recorded his first win for the Buckeyes, and second win over LSSU, by posting a shutout, making 22 saves. The Lakers where shutout for the third time in their past three games against the Buckeyes and the fourth time in their last seven against OSU. Both teams were unable to score on the power play with LSSU finishing 0-for-7, and OSU going 0-for-5 with the extra man. The Lakers where 29 for 59 in the faceoff circle but failed to gain possession at many crucial moments in the game. The Lakers and Buckeyes square off again Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at Value City Arena.