Re: LSSU Lakers 2015-16: The 50th season
Having a warm cup of coffee, and going to listen to Laker Talk, with the Voice of the Lakers Bill Crawford and Lake Superior State University hockey coach Damon Whitten on ESPN 1400 Radio
http://stream.1400espn.net/ at 8:30 a.m. Bill and Damon will be talking about last weekend's split at Michigan State and preview this week's games in the 30 minute show.
Lake Superior State hosts the eighth annual Pink in the Rink this weekend when the Lakers play Alabama-Huntsville Friday and Saturday at Taffy Abel Arena. The series is the Western Collegiate Hockey Association opener for the Lakers this season.
Friday night's game is scheduled for 7:37 p.m., and Saturday's game begins at 7:07 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live on YES FM 99.5 with the legendary Bill Crawford doing play-by-play. The doors officially open for Pink in the Rink at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Norris Center.
The Lakers (2-4-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) return home for their first full weekend of games at Taffy Abel Arena. They face a Chargers team that tied with the Lakers for eighth place in last year's league standings.
The Chargers (1-2-1 overall, 0-1-1 WCHA) tied Alaska-Anchorage 3-3 last Friday night before falling to the Seawolves 3-2 in the series finale Saturday.
Last week the Lakers earned a split in East Lansing, Mich. They defeated Michigan State 4-2 in the series opener Thursday before falling victim to a 2-0 shutout Friday night.
"It was a nice victory for us on Thursday but I didn't think it was our best weekend of hockey," said head coach Damon Whitten of the series split with the Spartans (2-3-1). "I thought we looked fatigued on Friday and maybe a little worn out from the road matchup. We need to make sure we can finish periods and finish weekends."
Sophomore goaltender Gordon Defiel (1-3-0) looked sharp in earning his first win of the season Thursday night. Defiel made 29 saves and gave up two goals to earn the victory. Freshman Nick Kossoff looked sharp Friday night and provided the Lakers a chance for the sweep. Kossoff made 28 saves while allowing a pair of goals, but was ultimately out-dueled by the senior Jake Hildebrand, who made 21 saves.
Freshmen Gage Torrel (2-3--5) and Mitch Hults (3-1--4) continued to display their offensive prowess during the series opener. Torrel scored an empty-net goal late in the game, and Hults picked up an assist on a short-handed go-ahead goal scored by Bryce Schmitt (1-0--1).
Other newcomers to register goals at MSU were J.T. Henke (2-2--4) and C.J. Hayes (2-1--3). Hayes scored the game-winning goal, and Henke opened the scoring for the Lakers and later assisted on Hayes' goal.
"J.T. has been very good for us and one of our point leaders this year," said Whitten. "He's a tremendously skilled player and I thought that pass he made on C.J.'s goal was a unique play. He's certainly the most able passer I have ever had a chance to coach. The windows and lanes he creates with his passing are something really special."
The Lakers have improved their scoring average this season, as well as limited their goals against. So far, the Lakers are scoring 2.33 goals per game, up from a conference-worst 1.58 in 2014-15. The Lakers are also limiting opponents to 3.17 goals allowed, compared to 3.45 in 2014-15.
Last season the Lakers and Chargers met four times with the Chargers coming away with the overall advantage, 2-1-1. Defiel earned his first career shutout, and Schmitt scored a power-play goal to push the Lakers to the 1-0 win in Huntsville. The Chargers took the split at home with a 5-2 victory the following evening.
When the teams met last February, with conference tournament berths on the line, the teams tied 1-1 during the opener before the Chargers won the final game 3-1. Junior Gus Correale (0-2--2) scored both of the Lakers' goals during the weekend series.
The Chargers are led by junior goaltender Carmine Guerriero, who enters his third season with a career .917 saves-percentage and 3.07 goals-against average. Guerriero has seen his saves percentage dip to .892 so far this season but has limited opposing teams to 2.96 goals per contest.
"They're certainly known by their goaltending and Carmine Guerriero, who's had a great previous two years there at UAH," said Whitten. "I don't really like that we're probably getting an angry Carmine Guerriero this weekend after a WCHA series opener in Huntsville that they're probably not happy with. So that's going to be a huge test.
"We can't allow him to see pucks, and we need to get some traffic in front of Carmine. If he can see the puck he's going to make easy saves."
A top line of Brennan Saulnier (4-3--7), Max McHugh (3-3--6) and Chad Brears (1-4--5) leads a Chargers squad up front that is producing three goals per game, up from 1.63 goals per game last season. Saulnier is currently tied with five others for the league's lead in points, while also leading the WCHA with a 1.75 points-per-game clip.
"They're a hard working team if you look at their top line. They're all over a point per game, so I think it's crucial being back home. Hopefully we can get the right people against their top line to shut them down," continued Whitten. "They're in the third year of a rebuild there and it's starting to show. They're a hard working team, and we need to be prepared to match their work ethic and tenacity."
This year's Pink in the Rink has a Halloween theme, including a kids' party with tons of candy and games, and a costume contest for adults and kids. The event also includes the traditional pink jersey auction, silent auction, basket raffle with more than a dozen prizes valued at $200 or more, and plenty of pink-themed foods and gifts.
The prize baskets and silent auction items include jersey signed by Red Wings head coach and Sault Ste. Marie native Jeff Blashill and other Red Wings memorabilia, an all-access Laker Hockey fan experience and a catered dinner at LSSU President Tom Pleger's house. Other prize packages include lawn care/snow removal, kids winter fun with a snowboard, jewelry, camping, animal care room makeover and kids travel packages.
Fans can purchase Pink in the Rink apparel and raffle tickets during Friday's game. The doors officially open for Pink in the Rink and Laker volleyball's "Dig Pink" event at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
More than $125,000 of Pink in the Rink proceeds have been donated back to the community during one of LSSU's biggest community-wide events of the year. This year, the Lakers look forward to helping War Memorial Hospital promote its new oncology unit. Dr. Belisario Arango will be on hand for the ceremonial opening drop of the puck prior to Saturday's game.
Listen to Coaches Corner on 1230 WSOO
http://www.1230wsoo.com/ on Saturday morning at 11, from Applebee's with David "The Professor" Watson as he will have interviews with the coaches and be talking about Friday night's LSSU game.
Let's pack the Taffy this weekend for Pink in the Rink. Ringy Dingy
