Lakers split 'home and Joe' series with Michigan

NEWS RELEASE

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

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Michigan wins 3-1 to split series

Eves scores Lakers' lone goal

DETROIT - Tenth-ranked Michigan defeated Lake Superior State 3-1 Sunday at Joe Louis Arena to split this weekend's "Home-and-Joe" series and keep the Lakers from clinching home ice for the first round of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Playoffs.

The Lakers (16-15-3 overall, 10-13-3 Central Collegiate Hockey Association) need one point to secure a top-eight finish in the league standings. They have one more chance to do so when they play host to Western Michigan on Feb. 23-24 in Sault Ste. Marie.

Michigan's T.J. Hensick scored two goals, and Matt Hunwick notched a goal and an assist to lead Michigan (22-11-1 overall, 17-8-1 CCHA), which built a 3-0 lead through the first 26:43 of action. Jack Johnson added two assists for the Wolverines.

LSSU's Dan Eves spoiled U-M goaltender Billy Sauer's shutout by scoring at 9:11 of the third period. Steven Kaunisto drew the lone assist.

Lake Superior State dropped to 0-10-0 in its last 10 games at Joe Louis Arena. The Lakers, however, are 2-2 in their last four games against Michigan.

This game marked the end of LSSU's 12-year commitment to play a regular-season game at JLA.

Sauer totaled 35 saves for Michigan, while LSSU netminder Jeff Jakaitis totaled 23 saves, including 11 in the second period.

LSSU finished 0-for-9 on the power play, while Michigan was 1-for-3.

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