Lakers force a third and deciding game

NEWS RELEASE

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

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Lakers extend CCHA First Round to third game

Osman scores two goals in LSSU's 4-3 win

SAULT STE. MARIE - Game 2 of Lake Superior State's playoff series against Ferris State was a mirror image of Friday's contest for two periods, but the Lakers played a much-stronger third period to win 4-3 on Saturday at Taffy Abel Arena.

By splitting Games 1 and 2, the Lakers (18-17-3) extended the Central Collegiate Hockey Association First-Round series to a third if-necessary game, which will be played at 7:05 p.m. Sunday at Taffy Abel Arena.

LSSU won a CCHA playoff game for the first time since beating Michigan 4-3 in Game 1 of the 2001-02 playoffs.

The Lakers lost 4-3 in overtime on Friday after leading 3-2 early in the third period. On Saturday, LSSU and FSU (14-21-3) were tied 3-3 until Dominic Osman scored the game-winner at 6:25 of the third period. Osman's goal had to be reviewed before the Lakers officially took the lead. He also hit the post later in the period as LSSU held a 9-7 edge in third-period shots. Trent Campbell and Jeff Rainville assisted on Osman's third game-winner of the season.

Osman also scored at 4:23 of the first period to tie the game 1-1. Rainville and Derek A. Smith drew assists.

LSSU took a 2-1 lead on a short-handed goal by Campbell at 12:55 of the opening stanza. Nik Sellers rushed up the ice on the right side and flopped a pass over the defender's stick to Campbell, who was rushing the net.

FSU's Joe Van Culin and LSSU's Simon Gysbers traded power-play goals at 3:30 and 14:13 of the second period, respectively. Troy Schwab had the only assist on Gysbers' goal.

The Bulldogs tied it, 3-3, at 16:49 of the middle stanza.

LSSU finished 2-for-7 on the power play, while Ferris State was 1-for-4.

Laker goaltender Jeff Jakaitis totaled 23 saves, including 13 in the second period. FSU netminder Derek MacIntyre totaled 28 saves as LSSU out-shot the Bulldogs, 32-26.

LSSU is one win away from posting the most wins since 1996-97 when the Lakers finished 19-14-5.

The Norris Center Ticket Office will open at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

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