SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Senior forward Rick Schofield scored the game-tying goal with 31 seconds left in regulation for the Lake Superior State hockey team, which followed the 2-2 come-from-behind tie with a 3-1 shootout loss to Western Michigan Friday at Taffy Abel Arena.

The Lakers (6-11-6 overall, 4-8-5-3 Central Collegiate Hockey Association) failed to snap the nation's longest current unbeaten streak. The Broncos (12-6-7 overall, 6-5-6-4 CCHA) will take a 5-0-3 unbeaten streak into Saturday's rematch at 7:05 p.m.

LSSU sophomore defenseman Zach Trotman (5-7—1) scored from senior forwards Will Acton (2-9—11) and Schofield (9-10—19) to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead 31 seconds into the second period. The Broncos tied the game at 15:09 of the second on a goal by Mike Leone.

At 11:21 of the third, Western Michigan went ahead 2-1 on a goal by Max Campbell. WMU was in the driver's seat after getting a five-minute power play at 15:42 of the third period, but the Broncos took a minor penalty at 17:31. Schofield tallied a 5-on-4 goal as Laker goaltender Kevin Kapalka was pulled in favor of an extra attacker. Kyle Jean and Trotman drew assists.

WMU's Dennis Brown and Schofield both scored during the first round of the shootout. Bronco Greg Squires and Campbell both found the back of the net, giving the Broncos' the 3-1 shootout victory. Domenic Monardo missed the net for the Lakers in the second round.

Kapalka (5-6-5-3) stopped 28 shots in 64:05 minutes, while WMU's Jerry Kuhn made 18 saves in 65 minutes.

LSSU was 0-for-1 on the power-play and Western Michigan was 0-for-3.

LSSU head coach Jim Roque was absent from the bench due to serving a one-game suspension for violating CCHA code of conduct policies during last Saturday's game against Michigan State. He will be back at the helm Saturday.

LSSU 2, WMU 2