Michigan and Lake Superior State each won on "home ice" as the Lakers defeated U-M Friday night in Sault Ste. Marie and the Wolverines came back for a win Sunday at Joe Louis Arena.Friday, Josh Sim scored the game-winning goal and added an assist to lead the Lakers to a 3-2 victory over 10th-ranked Michigan in a thriller at Taffy Abel Arena.
The Lakers notched their first home victory over Michigan since Feb. 22, 2001, and improved their home record against Michigan to 22-14-3. They played in front of 3,234 fans - their largest home crowd of the season.
Pat Aubry and Troy Schwab scored LSSU's other goals to back Jeff Jakaitis' 31-save performance.
Danny Fardig and Chad Kolarik scored goals for Michigan and netminder Billy Sauer stopped 20 shots in defeat.
Then Sunday at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, U-M rebounded for a 3-1 victory on two goals by T.J. Hensick and the game-winner off the stick of captain Matt Hunwick. Sauer took the win making 35 saves.
Dan Eves busted Sauer's shutout bid with 10:49 to go in the third period. Jakaitis suffered the loss in stopping 23 U-M shots.
Sunday's contest wraps up LSSU's 12-year agreement to play a regular-season home game annually at the Joe. The arrangement was made when the Ilitch family contributed to the "Gem of the North," which was the Norris Center Ice Arena renovation project that took place in 1994-95.
Michigan (22-11-1, 17-8-1 CCHA) travels to Ohio State this weekend, while the Lakers (16-15-3, 10-13-3 CCHA) are at Western Michigan.
Friday photo by Mike Burrill
