HUNTSVILLE, Ala.- Lake Superior State men's ice hockey team fell to Western Collegiate Hockey Association hosts Alabama-Huntsville by a score of 5-3 during game two of the weekend double-header. The Lakers (2-10-0, 2-6-0 WCHA) saw their two game winning streak dissolve at the hands of the Chargers (2-8-2, 1-5-0) who were able to pick up their first WCHA victory of the year.

Freshman goaltender Gordon Defiel (2-8-0), winner of two straight prior to this evening's contest,  started the game and picked up 25 saves in the loss. Defiel was able to give the Lakers their first shutout since 2013 during last night's 1-0 victory. Carmine Gurriero made the start in net and picked up his second win of the season while making 23 saves.

The Chargers jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Lakers on a pair of unassisted goals by Cody Marooney and Richard Buri, respectively. Marooney's tally came shorthanded 5:09 into the opening frame. Buri buried an even strength marker 5:22 into the second.

Chris Ciotti (1-1—2) opened the scoring for the Lakers with 7:44 remaining in the second period. Ryan Renz (0-1—1) picked up his first collegiate point with the assist on the play, while Bryce Schmitt (4-3--7) scored his second point of the weekend on the goal's second assist. For Ciotti, it was his first point of his senior season while appearing in just his third game on the season and second after being sidelined with injury since the opening game against Michigan Tech. Ciotti picked up his second point while assisting on Garret Clemment's (2-0--2) game-tying goal with 3:23 remaining in the second. Matt Johnson (0-3—3) also turned in an assist on the goal.

The Chargers were able to reclaim the lead in the waning moments of the second period as Max McHugh notched his second goal of the season on a power play with 1:55 remaining. Chad Brears and Brandon Parker assisted on the goal for Huntsville.

Jeff Vanderlugt gave the Chargers some insurance with a power-play goal 8:10 into the final frame. Huntsville picked up their final tally on another power-play goal with 4:52 remaining in the game from Jack Prince. The first assist on the evening was credited to Jeff Vanderlugt on the Prince tally.

The Chargers committed eight penalties on the evening and the Lakers were unable to score on any of their power play opportunities. On the flip side, the Chargers converted all three of their power play chances into goals along with the short-handed goal in the first.

The Lakers will host Alaska next weekend during Pink in the Rink weekend. Game time is set for 7:37 pm on Friday and 7:07 pm on Saturday night. Following Pink in the Rink weekend, the Lakers will host Minnesota State- Mankato to round out November.

Final UAH 5 – LSSU 2

Photo Credit: Lisa Drapluk