LSSU tops Clarkson 5-1

Strong special team play by the Lakers gave them a 5-1 win over Clarkson on Friday night in Potsdam New York, where the Golden Knights have won 16 of their last 18 games, with all 6 goals in the game coming on the power play. Clarkson came out strong dominating the Lakers in the first 5 minutes of the game strong goaltending by Lake Superior State’s senior goaltender Jeff Jakaitis keep the Lakers in the game, at one point early in the first period Clarkson out shot LSSU 11-2. Lake Superior State sophomore Josh Sim was able to turn the momentum of the game in the Lakers favor by scoring a power play goal at 8:33 of the first period with the assist going to Derek A. Smith. LSSU senior Jeff Rainville was able to give the Lakers a 2-0 lead going into the first intermission by scoring a power play goal of his own at 16:55 of the first period, with Smith getting his second assist on the game and Barnabas Birkeland getting the other. Clarkson was able to pull the game to within one goal in the second period with Steve Zalewski scoring his 4th goal of the season on the power play, while Steven Olesky, who otherwise had played a great game, was serving 2 minutes for holding. Lake Superior State never looked back after coming back onto the ice in the third period, with the Lakers leading scorer from last season, Trent Campbell, getting his first goal of the young season, at 6:34 of the third period, on a great play by Matt Martello in which he took the puck from the left side of the ice moved behind the goal and found Campbell in the slot with a great pass, fellow freshman Nathan Perkovich received the second assist on the play. Sim scored his second goal of the game at 11:25 of the third period with assists going to Troy Schwab and Derek A. Smith to give LSSU a 4-1 lead. Clarkson lost their composure after this goal was scored and Tyrell Mason was assessed a 2 minute cross checking penalty after taking several shots at a Laker after the goal had been scored. Nathan Perkovich sealed the game for the Lakers by scoring his second goal on the season with just under 5 minutes to play, 15:06 of the third period, in the contest. Marty Gurnoe got the only assist on the goal. LSSU played stronger and stronger as the game went on, including putting up 21 shots to Clarkson’s 9 shots in the third period. LSSU held a shot edge in the game of 41 to 34. Penalties where evenly called by ECACHL officiating staff with LSSU being called for 8 minor penalties and Clarkson for 9. LSSU once again lost the battle in the faceoff circle with Clarkson having a 32-25 edge. Power plays where the real story of the game with LSSU scoring 5 goals in 8 extra man chances, while holding Clarkson to 1 goal in 9 shots on 7 power play opportunities. LSSU and Clarkson face off again on Saturday night at 7:00, look for LSSU freshman Pat Inglis to get his second start in goal on the season. Photo from http://www.clarksonathletics.com/