SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State defeated Nipissing, 7-1, in an exhibition hockey game Saturday night at the Taffy Abel Arena.

The Lakers opened their season with the first full practice and an exhibition game all in the same day. Today marked the start of official practice allowed by the NCAA. 

Simon Gysbers was the first star of the night, tallying the Lakers' first two goals during the opening eight minutes of the game and contributing one assist. Gysbers scored his first goal, 2:55 into the first period to get the Lakers on the board. Shortly after, at 7:42, he scored his second goal of the night. He assisted on the power-play goal scored by Zac MacVoy at 11:38 of the third period.

MacVoy had three assists to round of his night. He assisted on both of Gysbers' goals. His last assist came in the third period, when Nick McParland, LSSU's only rookie to figure into the scoring column, made it 6-1 in the third period. MacVoy was the game's third star.

Second star Rick Schofield had one goal and three assists. Schofield scored the only Laker goal in the second period, a power play goal.

Dillin Stonehouse and Steven Kaunisto also scored goals for Lake Superior State.

LSSU held Nipissing, a first-year collegiate program, scoreless on seven power-play chances. Schofield and MacVoy's power-play play goals left the Lakers 2-for-4 with the man advantage.

Lake Superior State starting goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson totaled 15 saves through two periods. Pat Inglis allowed one goal and had five saves during the third period. Nipissing goaltender Matt Hache had 45 saves.

The Lakers officially start their season this weekend in the third annual Superior Cup. They head to Minnesota-Duluth Friday at 8:07 and Michigan Tech Sunday at 5:07.

Lake Superior State vs. Nipissing