LSSU kicks off 2008-09 hockey season with ESPN Tailgate and Blue-White Game

SAULT STE. MARIE – Lake Superior State will kick off the 2008-09 hockey season Saturday with the ESPN Tailgate Tour from 3-7 p.m. and the annual Blue-White at 7 p.m. at the Norris Center. The two events, which are open to the public, follow Tuesday’s Central Collegiate Hockey Association Media Day and the first Laker Hockey Show of the season. Laker fans can view live coverage of CCHA Media Day on www.ccha.com. The Laker Hockey Show will be broadcast live from Dondee Lanes every Tuesday at 6:05 p.m. Because LSSU coach Jim Roque is attending CCHA meetings and Media Day, this week’s guests on the Laker Hockey Show will be LSSU assistant coach Tim Christian and LSSU assistant director of athletics Tom Coates. The ESPN Tailgate Tour includes contests such as the Quarterback Blitz throwing challenge and Wii Madden ’09, a chance to win a PlayStation 3 and free food. LSSU student-athletes will be attending the event, and LSSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee members will be selling Links of Love in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Laker hockey season ticket packages will be on sale at the Norris Center Ticket Office from 6 p.m. Saturday through first intermission of the Blue-White Game. Beginning at 6:45 p.m., free Believe In Blue t-shirts will be given to the first 500 LSSU students with valid school IDs. The Blue-White Game will consist of two 25-minute stop-time periods. Guest coaches will be Eugene and Perry Pingatore, winners of a silent auction prize at the 2008 Lake State Golf Classic. The Lakers officially open their season during the second annual Superior Cup on Oct. 10-11. They play host to Minnesota-Duluth and Michigan Tech at 7:05 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, respectively.