Lakers Swept by Miami

Most hockey pundits Lake Superior State counted on the second half of the Lakers season to make or break their season, facing Michigan State, Michigan, and Miami on consecutive weekends. Back to back sweeps at the hands of Michigan and Miami have pushed LSSU into the bottom third and cemented LSSU in the bottom half of the CCHA standings. Upcoming series against Western and Northern will be huge for the Lakers with LSSU making a last push for home ice in the CCHA playoffs. Friday night sixth-ranked Miami out-scored Lake Superior State 2-1 in the first period, and the score held during Friday's Central Collegiate Hockey Association game at Taffy Abel Arena. Miami's Tommy Wingels and Vincent LoVerde scored even-strength goals at 14:57 and 17:18 of the opening period to give the RedHawks a 2-0 lead. During that 2:21 stretch, LSSU's Chad Nehring hit the post and Nathan Perkovich fired at Miami goaltender Cody Reichard from close range. LSSU's Dillin Stonehouse cut the RedHawks' lead in half by scoring on a shot from the point at 17:35. Josh Sim and Dan Barczuk had the assists. Lake Superior State (9-14-8 overall, 6-11-6-1 CCHA) was scoreless during its only two power-play chances, both of which occurred in the second period. Miami (17-8-4 overall, 15-5-3-1 CCHA) was 0-for-3 with the man advantage for the night. The Lakers were short-handed from 16:42 to 18:42 of the third period, and pulled goaltender Pat Inglis in favor of an extra attacker during the final minute. Inglis totaled 27 saves, including 12 in the third period. Reichard finished with 26 saves, inlcuding 10 in the third period. One of Reichard's best saves stopped a Laker line rush led by Perkovich and Steven Kaunisto late in the game. Saturday night Miami took advantage of a steady stream of whistles and kept Lake Superior State off-balance to win Saturday's Central Collegiate Hockey Association game, 4-0. The RedHawks (18-8-4 overall, 16-5-3-1 CCHA) extended their unbeaten streak to seven games with their fourth shutout victory of the season. They handed the Lakers (9-15-8 overall, 6-12-6-1 CCHA) their first shutout loss of the year. Miami took a 1-0 lead at 2:22 of the first period when a Laker defenseman inadvertently deflected a puck into LSSU's net. Carter Camper took the initial shot and was credited with the power-play goal. RedHawks Gary Steffes and Andy Miele scored second-period goals, and Bill Loupee made it 4-0 with an empty-net goal at 18:32 of the third period. Steffes and Miele both had a goal and an assist for the night. Miami was 2-for-8 on the power play, including 1-for-4 in the first period and 1-for-3 in the second. LSSU was 0-for-7 on the power play. LSSU goaltender Pat Inglis totaled 33 saves, while Miami's Connor Knapp had 27 saves while improving to 12-3-2.