Lakers dominate to salvage 3-3 tie

by Mike Burrill / LSSU beat writer

Lake Superior State head coach Jim Roque got a good look at his young hockey team Saturday at Taffy Abel Arena, as the Lakers overcame a two-goal deficit to salvage a 3-3 tie with visiting Western Ontario in exhibition play.

In the second period, sophomore Pat Aubry found the net on a set up by freshman defenseman Dillin Stonehouse to cut Western Ontario’s lead to one while the teams were skating with four men apiece.

Still trailing by two into the third period, the Lakers wasted little time going on the offensive. Sophomore Nathan Perkovich scored this third goal in as many games to make it 3-2. Team captain Troy Schwab earned the only assist on Perkovich’s goal 54 seconds into the period.

Also staying red hot was the line consisting of Dan Eaves, Nik Sellers and Chad Nehring. Nehring scored his first goal as a Laker tying the game at three with just over three minutes remaining. Eaves and Sellers drew the assists.

The Lakers out-shot the Mustangs 43-24 in the game, including 14-4 in the final stanza.

In net, freshman Brian Mahony-Wilson got the start, giving up all three goals and making 10 saves. Pat Inglis took over halfway through the game, making 11 saves and shutting out the Mustangs in his period-and-a-half of work.

Having 3,140 loyal Lakers fans in attendance for an exhibition game is a good sign for the program. Despite it being Great Lake State weekend, exhibition games rarely draw large crowds. Attendance is expected to be high next weekend when the Lakers host seventh-ranked Clarkson.