Lakers settle for split in Alaska

By Michael David/LSSU Beat Writer

The Lake Superior State Lakers had a golden opportunity to gain some points in the CCHA standings this weekend, playing up in Fairbanks, Alaska against the tenth place Nanooks. LSSU won Friday night by the score of 4-2, but failed to complete the sweep, falling 3-2 on Saturday night.

Friday night, the Lakers were down 1-0 early in the first period, but Kyle Jean tied the game with a goal assisted by junior forwards Domenic Mondardo and Nick McParland. McParlands would give the Lakers a 2-1 lead going into the first intermission, when he found the back of the net. Jean and freshman defenseman Kevin Czuczman earned the assists.

LSSU added to it's lead in the second period, when Monardo scored a power play goal assisted by sophomore forwards Colin Campbell and Dan Radke. Monardo's goal would prove to be the game winner. UAF cut the lead to 3-2 early in the third period, but the Lakers scored the capper on a blast from the point by senior Kyle Haines. Campbell and Radke teamed up for the assists once again.

Kevin Kapalka was in net for the Lakers, making 27 saves on the night. LSSU was 2 for 5 with the extra man, while the Nanooks were 2 for 6.

Saturday night, the Lakers found themselves in another hole, finding themselves down 2-0 after the first period. Kapalka gave up both goals, and was replaced by fellow sophomore Kevin Murdock to begin the second period.

Lake State would make it's comeback in the second period, too, when junior defenseman Zach Trotman scored a power-play goal assisted by Mondardo and sophomore forward Kellan Lain early in the period. The Lakers would tie the game when Chris Ciotti netted a goal assisted by freshman forward Stephen Perfetto and Zach Sternberg.

That would be the end of the Laker comeback, though, as the Nanooks banged a rebound past Murdock for the only goal of the third period to secure the 3-2 win. Murdock made 23 saves in the loss. LSSU was 1 for 5 on the power-play, and the Nanooks 2 for 5.

The Lakers (15-12-4/10-10-4-4 CCHA) host the Western Michigan Broncos in their final regular season home series at Taffey Abel Arena this season. The fifth place Lakers trail the second place Broncos by only four points in the CCHA standings.