Past, present, and future collide in Sault

By Michael David/LSSU Beat Writer

This this weekend's college hockey action is any indication of what Laker fans have to look forward to when LSSU joins the WCHA in 2013-14, the future certainly looks bright. The Lake Superior State Lakers split the weekend series with the visiting Bemidji State Beavers, dropping the opener 3-2 in OT on Friday, while grinding out a tough 2-1 win on Saturday.

In Friday's game, the Lakers found themselves in an early 2-0 hole, with the Beavers scoring on a break-away and a goal-mouth scramble, respectively. Lake State would battle back, though, with the freshman class leading the way. At 7:09 of the second period, freshman defender Kevin Czuczman scored his first collegiate goal to cut BSU's lead in half. His goal was asssited by sophomore forward Colin Campbell.

The Lakers would finally score the equalizer at 6:53 of the third period, when freshman forward Buddy Robinson would score an unassited goal to make it a 2-2 game. Robinson's goal was also the first of his collegiate career.

In overtime, the Lakers would kill off a Beaver power-play, but couldn't recover, as Bemidji would score the winning goal with only 41 seconds left to play.

Kevin Kapalka would take the loss, making 23 saves for the home team. LSSU went 0-3 on the power-play, while holding the Beavers 0-2.

Saturday night at the Taffey Abel, the Lakers would take an early 1-0 lead on the Beavers, scoring a power-play goal at 2:03 of the first period. The goal came off the stick of junior defenseman Zach Trotman, with assists going to Fred Cassiani and Domenic Monardo.

The Lakers out-shot BSU 18-1 in the first period, but could only skate into the intermission with the one goal lead. Lake State just couldn't cash in on some 'grade-A' scoring chances around the Beaver net.

Despite the lopsided shot total, BSU would come back in the second period and tie the game at one, capitalizing on a Laker turn-over.

At 3:18 of the third period, the game-winner of the Lakers would be scored by an unlikely hero. Senior Kyle Pobur, who moved to forward from defense for the game, scored a pretty goal when he broke through the Beaver defense and snapped a shot over the shoulder of netminder Andrew Walsh. The goal was Pobur's first of the season, and only the second of his career. Freshman forward Chris Ciotti would earn the only assist.

Goaltender Kevin Murdock would earn his first victory as a Laker, making 20 saves. Murdock came to Lake Superior as a sophomore, playing for Minnesota State in the 2009-10 season. LSSU was 1-4 on the power play, while holding BSU 0-3.

These two programs are no strangers to each other, however, with a rivalry going back decades, with thier first meeting on December 3, 1966. The Lakers actually defeated Bemidji State for the 1974 NAIA National Championship by the score of 4-3, with Rick Comley at the helm for LSSC.

Lake Superior State returns to CCHA action next weekend, travelling to Big Rapids to take on the always tough Ferris State Bulldogs.