Derek A. Smith's Offensive Explosion Sparks LSSU to win over Miam of Ohio

A pair of goals from Derek A. Smith was all that they Lakers need to cement a 2-1 win over Miami of Ohio in Friday night’s opening contest of the weekend series. LSSU is 2-1-0 in thier last 3 games against Miami. After weathering a strong offensive push by the Redhawks in the first period, with saw Miami take an 8-3 shot lead into the locker room for the first intermission, the Lakers where able to shift momentum in their favor with the help of an early second period power play. The Lakers where able to get on the board first with junior defenseman Derek A. Smith scoring his first goal of the season banking it off of a Miami of Ohio defenseman in front of the net at 6:20 of the second period, assists on the play went to Nathan Perkovich and Trent Campbell. Miami was able to tie the game up at 1-1 three minutes later, at 9:33, with Brian Kaufman putting a shot behind Laker goaltender Jeff Jakaitis. Smith added his second goal of the game two minutes later, at 11:44, off of a faceoff win by freshman Matt Martello. Both teams failed to score a goal in the third period, giving the Lakers a 2-1 win over 4th ranked Miami of Ohio. Derek A. Smith’s two goal night was the first multiple goal game of his college career. His 2 goals and 7 assists for 9 points on the season tie him for the point lead on the team with Trent Campbell. Last season Smith had 2 goals and 10 points in 36 games, following his freshman campaign in which he had 1 goal and 5 points in 38 games. Campbell, Perkovich, and Martello continued to impress with each recording an assist in the game. Campbell has 7 assists and 9 points in 9 games this season after putting up 12 assists and 26 points last season. Perkovich’s assist gives him 8 points on the season for a 0.89 points per game clip, last season he scored 0.92 points per game for the Chicago Steel in the USHL. Martello’s assist puts him at a scoring rate of 0.78 points per game, last season he posted 1.40 points per game with the Vaughan Vipers of the Ontario Provincial Junior “A” Hockey League. Jakaitis recorded 25 saves on the 26 saves that he faced; Redhawks goaltender Charlie Effinger had 20 saves while giving up 2 goals in the game. LSSU went 0-3 on the power play recording only 2 shots while holding Miami of Ohio to 0-for-2 with zero shots on the power play. LSSU lost the faceoff battle 27-to-34 despite going 7-0 early in the first period. These same two teams face off again Saturday night in Sault Ste. Marie at 7:05. Ryan Baird is expected to see his first action of the season in Saturday's contest. Bill Crawford interviewed Bud Cooper, the father of Laker atheletics, between the second and third periods. ****CORRECTION**** Junior defenseman Derek A. Smith was originally credited with both Laker goals in last Friday’s win, but it was later determined that the goals were tipped by Trent Campbell and Matt Martello, respectively. ****CORRECTION****