Lakers edge Wildcats 3-2
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The NMU hockey team dropped game three of the Cappo Cup from the eastern UP by a score of 3-2.
The Lakers (10-15-2, 8-10-2 CCHA) scored a pair of power-play goals a minute and a half apart in the final five minutes of the first period to give them a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes. The Wildcats (4-24-1, 3-17-1 CCHA) responded with a pair of goals in quick succession, scoring two goals just one minute apart to tie the game going into the third period. The Lakers scored the lone goal in the final frame, keeping the Cappo Cup in the Sault for one more year.
Grayden Slipec (7-7–14) scored his seventh goal of the season to give him the outright lead in goals among the Wildcats. Slipec now has recorded seven points (5-2–7) in his previous eight games.
Jesse Tucker (2-2–4) notched his second tally of the season, Grayden Daul (0-1–1) notched his first career collegiate point, and Tanner Latsch (5-2–7) and Anthony Cliche (3-3–6) picked up assists. Latsch extended his point streak to three games with his assist tonight, giving him two goals and an assist the past three outings.
Netminder Ryan Ouellette made 34 saves for a .919 SV%, only allowing one five-on-five goal. The Lakers converted on its special teams chances, going 2/4 on the power play while killing the sole Wildcat man advantage.
The ‘Cats put up 33 shots on target, its fourth-most shots-on-goal in a single game this season and second-straight game with 33+ shots.
The ‘Cats controlled the faceoff circle, winning 40 draws to LSSU’s 26, led by an outstanding evening from Danny Ciccarello (12/15, 80%) and Tucker (11/19, 57.9%).
The ‘Cats blocked 16 shots on the evening, its 15th straight game with double-digit blocks. Nicolas Ardanaz and Rasmus Larsson led all skaters with three apiece.
NMU now looks to earn a split on Saturday, with puck-drop from Taffy Abel at 6:07 p.m. ET,
How It Happened
After a great opening 15 minutes of play from the ‘Cats, Lake State was gifted a pair of man-advantage opportunities late in the opening frame. The Lakers scored on both of its chances, going 2/2 on the power play and scoring a minute and a half apart to give LSSU a two-goal lead after 20 minutes.
After Hesse made a sprawling save and the ‘Cats hit a post, they were whistled for a penalty and found themselves at a crucial crossroads. The ‘Cats PK teams did a great job at disrupting and getting into lanes, killing its third penalty after the Lakers scored on its first two.
Similar to the Lakers in the first, the ‘Cats scored a pair of goals in quick succession in the middle frame, starting with Grayden Slipec on an odd-man rush.
Grayden Daul made a spectacular defensive play to knock the puck off a Laker stick and feed Slipec and Bolduc on a two-on-one. Slipec, the left-hand shot on the right side, walked in and roofed a wicked wrister past the ear of Hesse on the short side.
A minute later, Jesse Tucker capped off a hard-working forecheck. Tynan Ewart gained the zone and fired a puck around the end wall to Tanner Latsch on the right-wing boards. Latsch played a pass to Ryan Duguay who turned quickly to Anthony Cliche at the right point. Cliche made a pass back low to Latsch who one-touched a pass to Tucker, who spinning around beat Hesse through the five-hole to tie the game.
A mad scramble in front of the Wildcat net, Ouellette made a terrific save on a Laker from in tight. The ‘Cats couldn’t clear the rebound, and Hindman walked down the slot and fired a wrister through traffic to give the Lakers the lead.
