SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - Led by sophomore forward Kyle Jean's hat trick, Lake Superior State defeated Michigan State, 5-4, Friday at the Taffy Abel Arena is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since the Lakers went 6-0 at the beginning of the 1995-96 season.

The Lakers are now 3-0-0 overall, 1-0-0 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, while MSU is 1-2-0 overall and 0-1-1 CCHA.

The Spartans opened the game with a goal just 13 seconds into the first period. Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., native Brett Perlini (2-2--4) netted MSU's first goal from Chris Forfar and Brock Shelgreen. LSSU tied the game at 10:07 of the first with Jean's (4-1--5) first goal of the night. Jean's goal was assisted by junior defenseman Zach Trotman (1-1--2) and senior defenseman Kyle Haines (0-2--2).

Jean notched his second goal of the night 1:19 later from sophomore defender Zach Sternberg (0-2--2). Sternberg had back-to-back assists for his first points of the season. Senior forward Fred Cassiani (1-0--1) scored the Lakers' third goal at 1:54 of the second period.

MSU came within one goal of the Lakers at 12:46 of the second period from Dean Chelios (1-1--2), assisted by Greg Wolfe (1-1--2). Forfar tied the game, 3-3, with a power-play goal at 2:49 of the third period. Torey Krug (1-1--2) and Perlini netted the assists.

Jean, who created scoring chances throughout the game, completed his hat trick at 11:36 of the third period with an assist from junior forward Nick McParland (2-1--3). The last time LSSU netted a hat trick was when Nathan Perkovich scored three goals against MSU during the CCHA Consolation Game at Joe Louis Arena in 2007.

Michigan State, taking advantage of scoring opportunities off face-offs, scored its second power-play goal of the night at 11:58. Krug's goal was assisted by Matt Berry (0-1--1).

Junior foward Domenic Monardo (1-1--2) gave LSSU the victory, scoring the game-winning goal at 18:49 of the third period. Monardo's goal was assisted by freshman forward Chris Ciotti (1-4--5) and sophomore defense Matt Bruneteau (0-1--1).

Due to a closure of the Mackinac Bridge that left the officiating crew stranded, Friday's game time was set back until 8:05 p.m. The Lakers and Spartans will take the ice Saturday at 7:05 p.m.

LSSU 5, MSU 4