SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - Lake Superior State earned three points in its Central Collegiate Hockey Association split against Michigan State. MSU defeated the Lakers 4-2 Saturday at Taffy Abel Arena.

The Lakers are 3-3-0 overall and 1-1-0 in the CCHA, while MSU is 2-3-1 overall and 1-1-0 CCHA. Four of five CCHA-opening series ended in splits, and the other ended with Ohio State taking four out of six points against Bowling Green State.

Last year's crowd of 3,451 against MSU was LSSU's largest crowd since March 4, 2000, when the Lakers drew 3,854 against Northern Michigan. Saturday's crowd of 3,747 surpassed last year's attendance.

Michigan State opened the scoring with its first first-period goal of the season, scoring at 16:01 of the first period. MSU took a 2-0 lead at 7:28 of the second period.

The Lakers answered with a goal from sophomore forward Chris Ciotti (3-2--5) at 17:45 of the second period to trim the lead to 2-1. Ciotti's goal was assisted by sophomore forward Buddy Robinson (0-3--3).

Michigan State gained a 4-1 lead over the Lakers scoring goals at 6:34 and 11:32 of the third period. LSSU pulled junior netminder Kevin Murdock (1-1-0 CCHA), allowing the Lakers to score a goal with an extra-attacker at 16:38 of the third. Sophomore forward Stephen Perfetto (2-1--3) netted LSSU's second goal of the night on assists from junior defender Zach Sternberg (1-4--5) and senior forward Ben Power (2-1--3).

The Lakers were 0-for-4 on the power-play while MSU was 3-for-6. Murdock made 33 saves for the Lakers, marking a career high. Jake Hildebrand (1-0-0 overall, 1-0-0 CCHA) made 28 saves for the Spartans.

Note: Murdock was credited with the win Friday.

LSSU 2, MSU 4