Cullen Maksimowski, LSSULakers.com

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich.— The Lake Superior State hockey team suffered a Western Collegiate Hockey Association sweep to Bemidji State Saturday evening after dropping the series finale, 6-3, inside Taffy Abel Arena.

The Lakers drop to 5-15-4 overall and 3-10-3 in the WCHA with the loss. The Beavers move to 11-6-5, 8-4-4.

Lake State came out of the gates strong when Jake Hand scored 1:13 into the first period on assists from Hampus Erikkson and Collin Saccoman. Hand added another goal at the 4:03 mark to put LSSU on top, 2-0.

BSU answered back with a power play goal scored by Justin Baudry to make it, 2-1, heading into the break.

In the second, the Beavers put up three-stright goals, two from Kyle Bauman and one from T.J. Roo, to open the period.

Lake State fought back to within one when sophomore forward Max Humitx scored his 10th goal of the season on assists from Lukas Kaelble and J.T. Henke before Bemidji added two more goals from Charlie Combs and Zach Whitecloud to ice the game.

The Lakers were outshot, 34-18, in the loss and were edged 32-29 on faceoffs. Bemidji State was 1-of-6 on power play chances while Lake State went 1-of-7.

Junior goaltender Nick Kossoff took the loss for Lake Superior allowing five goals on 34 shots faced. Markes Mitens allowed one goal in a brief relief appearance in the second.

The Lakers continue the second leg of a four-game home stand next weekend as they play host to WCHA rival Ferris State (Jan.12-13) inside Taffy Abel.

Tickets are available at the Norris Center Ticket Office or online at lssulakers.com/tickets.