SAULT STE. MARIE - Robert Morris came back with a vengence after
getting out-shot 25-4 in the first period Friday, but Lake Superior
State held on to win Game 1 of the non-conference series, 3-1.
With the win, LSSU's hockey team improved to 4-4-3 overall,
while RMU dropped to 2-7-2. Game 2 of the inaugural "Pink in
the Rink" series is scheduled for 5:05 on Saturday at Taffy Abel
Arena.
Freshman Fred Cassiani scored an even-strength goal at 2:17, and
senior Josh Sim tallied a short-handed goal at 9:03 as Lake
Superior State jumped to a 2-0 first-period lead. Sim's goal was
LSSU's second short-handed marker in as many games
and his fourth goal in five contests. Sim and Troy
Schwab assisted on Cassiani's goal, while Will Acton had the
only assist on Sim's goal.
Robert Morris came back to out-shoot LSSU 10-7 in the second
period and 21-3 in the third. LSSU goaltender Brian Mahoney-Wilson,
who finished with 34 saves, had three stops as the
Colonials failed to score during a two-man advantage for
1:44 early in the third period.
RMU nearly had a power play at 18:21 of the third
period, but Brock Meadows of the Colonials picked up a
cross-checking penalty just after Acton was whistled for charging,
leaving the teams with four skaters each. Mahoney-Wilson stopped a
break-away attempt by RMU's Nathan Longpre shortly after play
resumed.
RMU pulled goaltender Wes Russell in favor of an extra attacker
with 43 seconds remaining in regulation. LSSU defenseman Steven
Kaunisto picked up a loose puck in LSSU's zone and threaded a pass
to Schwab as he was skating up the boards. Schwab easily scored the
empty-netter at 19:20.
Russell totaled 32 saves, including 23 in the first period. RMU
finished 0-for-5 on the power play, while LSSU was 0-for-8.
Mahoney-Wilson's 20 third-period saves was a season high for one
period.
Notes: Silent bids for the custom pink Laker
hockey jerseys will close at the beginning of the third period
Saturday...A Skate with the Lakers will follow Saturday's contest.
It is open to the public.
Box
Score
