SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - Lake Superior State improved its overall record to 17-15-5 with a 4-3 win over Alaska (12-19-4 overall). The Lakers won their first ever post-season game against the Nanooks in the First Round of the 2012 Central Collegiate Hockey Association Playoffs Friday.

At 4:55 of the first period, the Lakers trailed 1-0 after Alaska's Adam Henderson scored the first goal. LSSU junior forward Domenic Monardo (11-18--29) netted a power-play goal from junior forward Nick McParland (14-12--26) and sophomore forward Kyle Jean (12-12--24) at 17:10 of the first to tie it, 1-1.

With 39 seconds remaing in the opening period the Lakers took a 2-1 lead on junior defenseman Zach Trotman's goal. Trotman (10-11--21) also drew assists from Trotman and Jean. 

Freshman forward Buddy Robinson (5-3--8) gave the Lakers a 3-1 lead over the Nanooks at 4:52 of the second period. Robinson's goal proved to be LSSU's first second-period goal since Feb. 18, when freshman forward Stephen Perfetto (3-7--10) notched a short-handed goal against Western Michigan.

Taranto brought the Nanooks within one goal of the Lakers at the 14-second mark of the third period. Sophomore forward Kellan Lain (9-5--14) knocked in his own rebound 46 seconds later to tally the Lakers' game-winning goal. Perfetto had the only assist.

Colton Beck rounded out the scoring at 18:13 of the third period, scoring for Alaska with the goalie pulled in favor of an extra-attacker.

The Lakers and Nanooks were 1-for-4 on the power-play. Sophomore netminder Kevin Kapalka (16-12-5-4) made 36 saves for the Laker win, while Scott Greenham totaled 26 saves for Alaska.

The Lakers and Nanooks will be back in action Saturday at 7:05 p.m. for game 2 of the CCHA First Round Playoffs.

LSSU 4, UAF 3