Skip to content

Lakers clinch WCHA playoff spot

Despite finishing seventh, the Lake Superior State Lakers went into the final weekend of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association season with a chance to finish as high as fourth
Hockey Ref
Stock photo

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – With playoff positioning still to be determined, the Lake Superior State Lakers needed points on the final day of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association season to clinch a playoff spot.

A shootout goal by Max Humitz gave the Lakers two points after a tie and shootout victory over the Ferris State Bulldogs on Saturday at Taffy Abel Arena.

Humtz beat Ferris State netminder Darren Smith in the shootout as the Lakers clinched seventh in the WCHA standings.

Lakers Coach Damon Whitten spoke Saturday of how the Lakers have been in playoff mode “for a while.” Speaking about wanting to have home ice, Whitten noted that being able to go into the last weekend of the season with that as still a real possibility was important.

“We went into Friday night at home in the last weekend of the regular season with a chance for home ice in the playoffs still,” Whitten said. “We were close. We’ve been in tight battles for a while here. That’s a blessing in some ways.”

Lakers defenceman, and Sault Ste. Marie native, Aidan Wright called the win “huge.”

“We needed something like that,” Wright said. “We rallied and played our hearts out tonight.”

Lakers goaltender Gordon Defiel stopped 43 shots in Saturday’s victory, earning praise from Whitten.

“That’s the Gordy we need and that we saw all of last year,” Whitten said. “He put a really strong game together.”

At the other end, Smith made 27 saves for Ferris State.

Mitch Hults had the Lakers lone goal in regulation time while Mitch Maloney scored for Ferris State.

Ferris State won Friday’s series opener 6-4 thanks to a goal and three assists from Craig Pefley. Gerald Mayhew added a pair of goals while Chad McDonald added a goal and two assists.

“I wasn’t surprised that the games were tight,” said Ferris State Coach Bob Daniels. “We’ve played them four times and they’ve all been very close games.”

The Lakers finish the regular season with a conference record of 8-13-7-4 while Ferris State finished with a 12-12-4-2 mark.

The WCHA playoffs are set to open on Mar. 3.


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.




Brad Coccimiglio

About the Author: Brad Coccimiglio

A graduate of Loyalist College’s Sports Journalism program, Brad Coccimiglio’s work has appeared in The Hockey News as well as online at FoxSports.com in addition to regular freelance work with SooToday before joining the team full time.
Read more