Lakers moving up the CCHA ranks (10 photos added)

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI -- It may not have been pretty, but a win's a win, especially if you're the Lake Superior State Lakers.

The Lakers, who have struggled in recent seasons when it comes to winning hockey games, used a strong third period to battle for a 3-2 victory and a weekend sweep of the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks at Taffy Abel Arena on Saturday night.

The victories give the Lakers an even 5-5-2 record in Central Collegiate Hockey Association play and an 8-5-2 record overall this season.

Saturday evening saw the Lakers struggle for much of the first two periods as they were outshot 15-9, although they did find themselves escaping with a 1-1 tie heading into the third.

Kyle Jones opened the scoring in the second period when he redirected a point shot from Tyler Eckford past Jeff Jakaitis in the Lakers goal at 13:21 of the middle period. Colin Nicholson got the Lakers on the board at 17:57 to keep the Lakers on even terms entering the third period.

In the third, Kyle Greentree scored on a two-man advantage at 4:15 of the period to give Alaska-Fairbanks a slim 2-1 lead. Just over two minutes later though Troy Schwab tied the game when he converted a chance past Alaska-Fairbanks goaltender Chad Johnson at 6:24.

The Lakers pulled ahead for the first time, and ultimately for good, on the night at 9:54 when Nathan Ward turned a great pass from Trent Campbell into the Lakers third goal.

"I was working the side wall there," Campbell said. "Marty Gurnoe shot and I got the rebound on my backhand and (the Alaska player) slid right across without checking to see if I was going to shoot or not. The goalie was out high too and I seen Ward there."

"He's been playing good," Lakers coach Jim Roque said of Campbell. "In my mind he should be in the top scorers in the league. I think he played good tonight and I think he should play like that all the time."

On Friday night, the Lakers received goals from Dominic Osman, Campbell and a pair of goals from Steve McJannet to pick up a 4-2 win over the Nanooks. Jones and Darcy Campbell scored for Alaska-Fairbanks.

"Alaska probably deserved a better fate (Saturday night)," said Roque. "They outplayed us for two periods. They played really hard. I guess it was our time to win a game we maybe didn't deserved to win but we got two huge plays.

"I thought Alaska played really hard," Roque continued. "I thought the key play was Nicholson scoring at the end of the second. I think that goal lifted our spirits."

Alaska-Fairbanks, who have beaten the likes of the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota this season, saw their record drop to 6-6-2 overall this season and their CCHA record fall to 4-5-1 with the two losses.

Both teams are back in action next weekend as Alaska will be on home ice as they face Michigan State on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Lakers on the other hand will be on the road next weekend as they head to Bemidji, Minnesota where the will take on Bemidji State. The Lakers next home action will be on Jan. 6 and 7 when they host the Western Michigan University Broncos.

*** AROUND THE CCHA:

In other CCHA action on Saturday night:

AT OMAHA, NEBRASKA: Bill Thomas had a pair of goals and an assist to lead Nebraska-Omaha to a 5-2 victory over Ferris State. Scott Parse chipped in with a goal and two assists in the win.

AT OXFORD, OHIO: Andy Greene's fifth goal of the season at 9:04 of the third period held up as the winner in Miami (Ohio)'s 4-3 victory over the university of Michigan.

AT BOWLING GREEN, OHIO: Brett Pilkington's third goal of the season held up as the winner in Bowling Green's 4-2 victory over Michigan State.

AT SOUTH BEND, INDIANA: Wes O'Neil and Mike Walsh each had a goal and an assist while Mark Van Guilder had three assists in Notre Dame's 3-0 victory over Western Michigan. David Brown stopped 25 shots for the shutout.

AT COLUMBUS, OHIO: Domenic Maiani had a goal and an assist as Ohio State and the University of Alabama—Huntsville skated to a 2-2 draw.