Lakers unbeaten through six games

It’s only through six games, but the Lake Superior State Lakers will head into 2021 without a loss.

COVID-19 meant a late start for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association this season as well as some juggling of schedule games throughout November, but the Lakers wrapped up the pre-Christmas portion of their schedule with a 3-2 win over the University of Alabama-Huntsville Chargers Sunday at Taffy Abel Arena.

A goal by junior forward Miroslav Mucha 1:36 into the third period was the eventual game-winner for the Lakers.

With a faceoff to the left of Chargers freshman goaltender Derek Krall, sophomore centre Dustin Manz won the faceoff back to Mucha, who beat Krall with a one-timer to give the Lakers a 3-1 lead at the time.

Freshman forward Frank Vitucci, cut the Lakers lead to 3-2 just 1:37 later when he beat freshman Lakers goaltender Ethan Langenegger's glove side from the slot, but that was as close as the Chargers would get in the contest.

The Lakers finish the 2020 portion of their schedule with four wins and a pair of shootout wins through six outings.

With the unbeaten record, there are some things to like for Lakers coach Damon Whitten though there are some that he will look to make adjustments to during the break for Christmas.

“There are pieces that are certainly playing well,” Whitten said in an interview on the Lakers radio broadcast on YesFM. “There are segments of our game that have been strong for us and there are certainly a couple of segments that aren’t good enough.”

Whitten added that after starting strong in many games, the team has struggled to maintain the pressure in the second periods of games.

“We’ve started games extremely well and that’s great to see,” Whitten said. “But that second period has not been kind to us, and our power play is unacceptable right now. I know what I’ll be spending my time on over the break.”

The Lakers have just one power play goal on 19 man advantages through six games this season, with the lone goal being a goal by Ashton Calder marker on Sunday.

The junior forward opened the scoring for the Lakers on Sunday when he potted a rebound after a shot from the left wing by senior defenceman Lukas Kaelble was stopped by Krall.

Kaelble figured into the scoring later in the frame when Lake State took a 2-0 lead.

With 34 seconds to go in the opening period, Kaelble sent the puck to the net from the left wing. The shot didn’t get through traffic in close though sophomore forward Brandon Puricelli scored on the loose puck.

Brian Scoville had the other goal for the Chargers, beating Lakers sophomore goaltender Seth Eisele midway through the second period.

With a lengthy break ahead, all three Lakers goaltenders saw action in Sunday’s game.

Senior Mareks Mitens stopped eight shots in the opening period while Eisele stopped 10 in the second period.

Langenegger picked up the win, stopping three of the four shots he faced in the third period.

Krall made 16 saves for Alabama-Huntsville.

The Lakers will return to action on New Years Day when they open a weekend series at Taffy Abel Arena in conference action against Alaska.