Jakaitis breaks record in Lakers sweep

NEWS RELEASES

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

******************************

Lakers sweep Wildcats after 5-2 win in Marquette

LSSU power play comes back to life

MARQUETTE - Lake Superior State made the most of its few scoring chances in the third period of Saturday's Central Collegiate Hockey Association game at Northern Michigan and held on to beat the Wildcats 5-2.

The Lakers (10-5-1 overall, 5-4-1 CCHA) swept the home-and-home series after entering the weekend with a seven-game losing streak against NMU. In both contests, NMU (7-8-2 overall, 4-5-1 CCHA) out-shot LSSU handily, but the Lakers' defense held up on key situations.

More importantly, LSSU ended its power-play scoring drought. After going 0-for-9 with the man-advantage in Friday's 2-0 victory and coming up empty on five tries through the first two periods on Saturday, the Lakers scored three power-play goals on four chances in the third period.

Senior Trent Campbell scored an even-strength goal at 13:09 of the first period to give LSSU a 1-0 lead. The Lakers extended their lead to 3-0 on third-period power-play goals by Campbell and Derek A. Smith at 1:37 and 3:28, respectively.

NMU's Darin Olver and Matt Maunu trimmed the lead to 3-2 with goals at 6:26 and 12:59, respectively.

Despite the Wildcats' constant pressure, LSSU quickly reclaimed control of the game when Laker Derek R. Smith made it a 4-2 contest with an even-strength goal at 13:12.

Pat Aubry wrapped up the scoring with an empty-net goal at 19:13. NMU out-shot LSSU 12-7 in the third period and 39-21 for the game.

Troy Schwab drew assists on both of Campbell's goals, and Jeff Rainville had the only assists on LSSU's fourth and fifth goals. Derek A. Smith and Derek R. Smith finished with a goal and an assist each for the night. Ryan Baird and Barnabas Birkeland picked up one assist each. LSSU freshman goaltender Pat Inglis (4-1-0) totaled 37 saves to earn the win. His effort included 18 saves in the scoreless second period. NMU goaltender Bill Zaniboni (6-8-2) totaled 16 saves.

LSSU finished 3-for-9 on the power play, while NMU was 1-for-8.

*******************************

Jakaitis breaks career shutout record in 2-0 victory over NMU

Lakers end seven-game losing skid v. Wildcats

SAULT STE. MARIE - The 2,217 fans at Friday's Central Collegiate Hockey Association game witnessed history in the making as the Lakers defeated Northern Michigan 2-0 and senior goaltender Jeff Jakaitis recorded his school-record 10th career shutout.

Jakaitis, who tied the record with his ninth shutout on Nov. 17, totaled 31 saves as he held an opponent scoreless for the third time this season. He broke the career record set by former Laker Blaine Lacher, who played at LSSU from 1991-94.

Jakaitis and the Lakers' defense scrapped in their own end after scoring two first-period goals. NMU (7-7-2 overall, 4-4-1 CCHA) out-shot LSSU, 26-9, during the last two periods. The Wildcats hit the post twice, and Jakaitis protected LSSU's lead with several key saves, including one on Matt Siddall's break-away with eight minutes to go in the second period.

NMU was 0-for-5 on the power play after connecting on 10-of-23 chances in the Wildcats' previous four games heading into Friday's contest.

LSSU senior Dominic Osman led the Lakers' offense, scoring the game-winning goal at 1:33 of the first period and assisting on Steven Kaunisto's goal at 6:56 of the opening period.

Dan Eves and Simon Gysbers assisted on Osman's goal, and Matt Martello had the other assist on Kaunisto's goal.

Jakaitis improved to 6-4-1 with the victory. NMU goaltender Bill Zaniboni (6-7-2) totaled 21 saves for the Wildcats.

LSSU (9-5-1 overall, 4-4-1 CCHA) and NMU face off again Saturday at 7:35 p.m. at the Berry Events Center in Marquette. Friday's win was the Lakers' first over NMU since Nov. 26, 2004.

************************************************************