LSSU shuts out AIC

Lake Superior State University jumped out to an early lead against American International College in Friday night’s contest with senior Jeff Rainville scoring his second goal of the season on the power play just 3:13 into the first period with assists going to both Derek Smiths. Rainville put the puck into the top of the net just 4 seconds into the power play. The Lakers leading scorer, Nathan Perkovich recorded his fourth goal of the season at 15:20 of the first period with Trent Campbell and Matt Martello getting assists on the play, in a play in which Martello took a rebound and passed it to his left where Perkovich was waiting to knock it in. Laker captain Barnabas Birkeland gave LSSU a 3-0 lead, scoring his first goal of the season at 4:10 of the second period with a shot along the ice from the blue line, with assists going to Simon Gysbers and Troy Schwab. Rainville added his second goal of the game a minute later, 5:10, with Derek R. Smith recording his second assist of the game. Josh Sim put in his fourth goal of the season, by putting his own rebound into the upper corner, to give the Lakers a 5-0 lead at 4:14 of the third period with Pat Aubry and Troy Schwab getting the assists on the goal. Lake Superior goalie Jeff Jakaitis recorded his eighth career shutout by stopping all 23 AIC shots. LSSU put 31 shots on goal in the game. First year referee Keith Sergott, a former teammate of LSSU assistant Tim Christian at Ferris State, only called 7 penalties during the game, resulting in 2 power play opportunities for the Yellow Jackets and 3 for the Lakers, each team managed 3 shots on the power play with LSSU able to score one goal. The Lakers where once again bested in the faceoff circle going 27 for 60. LSSU and AIC play Saturday at 5:05 p.m. post-game activities on Saturday include an ice-cream social, Halloween costume contest and skate with the Lakers.