LSSU manages split at Clarkson

Strong special teams play by Lake Superior State University gave them a 5-1 win over Clarkson on the road Friday night with all six goals in the game coming on the power play. Saturday night, Clarkson rebounded for a 7-1 win.

Friday night, Clarkson came out strong dominating the Lakers in the first five minutes of the game. Lake Superior State senior goaltender Jeff Jakaitis kept the Lakers in the game. At one point early in the first period, Clarkson had out-shot LSSU 11-2.

Sophomore Josh Sim turned the momentum in the Lakers' favor by scoring a power-play goal midway through the first period. LSSU senior Jeff Rainville was able to give the Lakers a 2-0 lead going into the first intermission by scoring his first goal of the season, also on the power play.

Clarkson was able to pull the game to within one goal in the second period with Steve Zalewski scoring.

Lake Superior State never looked back after coming back onto the ice in the third period, with Trent Campbell getting his first goal of the young season. Sim scored his second goal of the game to give LSSU a 4-1 lead and Nathan Perkovich sealed the game for the Lakers by scoring his second goal on the season to give the Lakers a 5-1 victory. Jakaitis finished with 33 stops and Derek Smith chipped in with three assists.

Saturday night, the Lakers came out flat and could never get going.

The lone bright spot for the Lakers Saturday night was Perkovich scoring his third goal of the season on a 5-on-3 power play in the third period.

Clarkson put 53 shots on goal while the Lakers where only able to muster 23 shots in the contest. Jakaitis gave up five goals on 30 shots before being pulled midway though the second period in favor of freshman Pat Inglis. Inglis gave up two goals while facing only 23 shots in the second half of the contest.

The Lakers open the home part of their schedule next weekend against American International College. As part of Great Lake State Weekend, Friday's game will start at 7:35, while Saturday's game will start at 5:05.

Jakaitis photo courtesy Clarkson Athletics Dept.