Lakers head to the Joe with a win over Wolverines

NEWS RELEASE

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

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Lakers edge Michigan in one-goal thriller

Laker penalty-killers come up big in third period

SAULT STE. MARIE - Sophomore Josh Sim scored the game-winning goal and added an assist to lead the Lake Superior State hockey team to a 3-2 victory over 10th-ranked Michigan in a thriller Friday at Taffy Abel Arena.

The Lakers (16-14-3 overall, 10-12-3 Central Collegiate Hockey Association) notched their first home victory over Michigan since Feb. 22, 2001, and improved their home record against Michigan to 22-14-3. They played in front of 3,234 fans -- their largest home crowd of the season.

LSSU not only out-scored Michigan 2-1 in the third period, but killed off two 5-on-3 power plays to pull out the win. The Lakers were two men down for two minutes beginning at 2:08 of the third period, and were short-handed during the final 4:16 of the game. U-M had a two-man advantage for 21 seconds pulled the goaltender in favor of an extra attacker for 1:13 during that late-game span.

Pat Aubry scored LSSU's first goal at 7:00 of the second period to tie the game, 1-1. Barnabas Birkeland took the initial shot from the point to draw the assist.

Troy Schwab scored a power-play goal at 8:32 of the third period to give the Lakers a 2-1 lead, but Michigan tied it, 2-2, with a power-play goal at 13:21.

Sim tallied the game-winner at 14:29. Trent Campbell drew the assist. Sim and Derek A. Smith assisted on Schwab's goal.

Danny Fardig and Chad Kolarik scored goals for Michigan (21-11-1 overall, 16-8-1 CCHA).

LSSU goaltender Jeff Jakaitis had a stellar day and totaled 31 saves, including 14 in the third period. U-M netminder Billy Sauer stopped 20 of 23 shots, including 10 in the first period.

LSSU finished 1-for-9 on the power play, while Michigan was 1-for-6.

Game 2 of the series will be played at 3:05 p.m. Sunday at Joe Louis Arena. The game will be televised live on FSN-Detroit and broadcast on Rock 101. In Canada, LeafsTV subcribers will also get the game live.

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