Lakers recognized for weekend accomplishments

NEWS RELEASES

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

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

Derek A. Smith, Jeff Jakaitis earn CCHA Player of the Week honors

Jakaitis is ranked No. 2 nationally save percentage and goals against

FARMINGTON HILLS - Lake Superior State senior Jeff Jakaitis and junior Derek A. Smith received Central Collegiate Hockey Association Player of the Week honors after leading the Lakers to a 1-1 overtime tie and a 4-1 victory at Ferris State last weekend.

Jakaitis, who was named CCHA Goaltender of the Week, stopped 91-of-93 shots on goal to set a new school record for most saves in a series. He tied his career high for most saves in a game by stopping 49-of-50 shots on Friday. His 91 series saves breaks the previous record of 88 set by Matt Violin on Jan. 17-18, 2003, at Alaska.

The Rochester, Minn., native is ranked second nationally in save percentage (.956) and goals-against average (1.57). He is currently ranked third on LSSU's career saves list with 2,795 and needs 15 saves to move into second place behind all-time leader Pat Tims (1973-77).

Smith, a Belleville, Ont., native, contributed two goals and one assist last weekend and was named CCHA Defenseman of the Week. He tallied the Lakers' only goal on Friday and added a short-handed goal on Saturday. He currently leads the Lakers in scoring with 5-12--17 and is ranked 10th nationally in average points per game by defensemen.

Notre Dame's Eric Condra was named CCHA Offensive Player of the Week, and Miami's Jarod Palmer received CCHA Rookie of the Week honors.

The Lakers (11-5-2) play host to the U.S. NTDP Under-18 squad in an exhibition game at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Taffy Abel Arena.

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

Johnson is named GLIAC North Division Player of the Week

Laker senior totals 54 points in back-to-back wins

BAY CITY - One week after scoring her 1,000th career point, Lake Superior State senior Mandi Johnson earned Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division Player of the Week honors.

Johnson, a 5-10 forward from St. Ignace, Mich., was recognized afer averaging 27.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.0 steals and 3.0 assists in the Lakers' 75-64 victory over Findlay and 61-57 win over Northwood.

Johnson scored a career-high 28 points against the Oilers, then tied her career high and school record for most steals in a game by totaling eight against the Timberwolves. She has totaled eight steals four times in her career, and shares the record with her sister, Randi, and former Laker Tammy Albon.

The All-GLIAC First-Team player had a stellar first half against Northwood, totaling 18 points, nine rebounds and six steals.

Johnson is currently ranked first in the GLIAC in steals per game (3.63), third in scoring (19.4 ppg) and sixth in rebounding (7.3 rpg). She has 1,070 career points.

The Lakers (6-2), who have won six straight games, play a region/non-conference matchup at Central State on Saturday in Wilberforce, Ohio. *********************************

Rehmann scores 1,000th point

Lakers top Findlay in home opener

SAULT STE. MARIE - Senior guard Monica Rehmann became the second Lake Superior State women's basketball player in three games to reach the 1,000-point milestone as she contributed 18 points, five rebounds and three assists in the Lakers' 75-64 victory over Findlay on Wednesday at Bud Cooper Gym.

Rehmann entered the game with 997 career points and scored her 1,000th point by converting a three-point play at 15:52 of the first half.

Teammate Mandi Johnson, who reached the career milestone last Thursday at Ashland, led the Lakers with 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.

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