Hockey Notebook: Lakers split against nationally-ranked Bowling Green

The Soo Eagles were in North American Hockey League action for a rare single game over the weekend as they were on the road in Flint, Mich. to take on the Michigan Warriors.

Chase Matson scored at 3:16 of overtime to lift the Eagles to a 5-4 win over the Warriors.

Matson finished the night with a goal and an assist in the win while Trevor Cope scored twice and set up another goal for the Eagles. Sandis Zolmanis also had a goal and an assist in the win. Raymond Brice had the other Eagles goal in the contest.

Eagles goaltender Jack Berry stopped 31 shots in the win.

Colin Horton had a goal and an assist for the Warriors. Peter Bates, A.J. Marincek and Ryan Sete also scored for Michigan.

Goaltender Ryan Wischow stopped 36 shots for the Warriors.

The Eagles record improves to 21-18-1 with the win and sit in third spot in the NAHL’s North Division, one point behind the Keystone Ice Miners.

The Eagles are back in action when they open a two-game weekend set against the Janesville Jets at Pullar Stadium in Sault, Mich. on Jan. 30.

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LAKERS SPLIT ON ROAD

After their first sweep of the 2014-15 Western Collegiate Hockey Association season one week earlier, the Lake Superior State Lakers hockey team picked up a split as they were on the road to take on Bowling Green.

On Friday night, goaltender Gordon Defiel made 30 saves as the Lakers beat Bowling Green 3-1.

Garret Clemment’s goal at 12:35 of the opening period was the game-winner for the Lakers. Bryce Schmitt opened the scoring 4:01 into the contest while Stephen Perfetto added a shorthanded marker in the second period in the win.

Kevin Dufour had the lone goal for Bowling Green in Friday’s loss with a power play marker in the late stages of the opening period. Falcons goaltender Chris Neil stopped 18 shots in the loss.

On Saturday night, Bowling Green regrouped and beat the Lakers 3-1, ending Lake State’s three-game winning streak in the process. Adam Berkle had a goal and an assist for Bowling Green in the win. Mark Friedman added a pair of assists while Brett D’Andrea and Ben Murphy also scored in the win. Goaltender Tommy Burke stopped 26 shots.

Perfetto had the lone goal for Lake State in the loss. Defiel made 38 saves.

The Lakers, who now hold a record of 7-20-1 (6-14-0 conference record), are back in action on Feb. 6 when they are on the road to face Alaska in the first of a two-game weekend series. The Lakers return home the following weekend when they host Alabama-Huntsville beginning on Feb. 13.