Lakers sweep opening weekend of college hockey season

The opening weekend of the college hockey season saw the Lake Superior State Lakers pick up a pair of non-conference victories at home.

The Lakers swept a weekend series with Merrimack College at the Taffy Abel Arena, a series that wrapped up Sunday evening with the Lakers picking up a 4-3 win.

In Sunday’s victory, it was a pair of goals 1:17 apart in the third period that were the difference.

With the Lakers trailing 3-2, William Riedell tied the game before Collin Saccoman scored the game-winner with 10:29 to play in regulation time.

Max Humitz had a goal and an assist for the Lakers while Tyler Anderson also scored.

Mareks Mitens made 20 saves for the Lakers.

Zach Uens had a goal and an assist for Merrimack in Sunday’s contest. Tyler Irvine and Jordan Seyfert completed the Merrimack scoring.

Goaltender Troy Kobryn made 15 saves.

On Saturday night, junior forward Hampus Eriksson had a goal and two assists for the Lakers in a 6-2 win.

Mitchell Oliver and Miroslav Mucha chipped in with a goal and an assist while Ashton Calder and Pierre-Luc Veillette assisted on two goals each.

Humitz, Yuki Miura, and Jacob Nordqvist also scored for the Lakers.

Mitens made 32 saves for Lake State.

Chase Gresock scored both goals for Merrimack.

Goaltender Jere Huhtamaa stopped 18 shots for Merrimack before being pulled after the Lakers fifth goal. Kobryn made four saves in relief.

Next up for the Lakers is a pair of non-conference games at Taffy Abel Arena against Denver, beginning on Oct. 11.

The team will begin Western Collegiate Hockey Association conference play on Nov. 1 at home against Ferris State.