Cullen Maksimowski, LSSULakers.com

BEMIDJI, Minn.— The Lake Superior State hockey team earned its first shutout victory of the season Friday evening as it topped Bemidji State, 2-0, in the first of a two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association series inside the Beavers' Sanford Center.
 
With the win, Lake State moves to 7-20-4 overall on the season and 5-15-3 in conference competition. The Beavers slip to 14-9-6, 11-6-4.

Senior forward J.T. Henke gave Lake Superior the lead at the 14:49 mark in the first period notching his ninth goal of the season on assists from Bryan Basilico (2) and Kyle Chatham (5).

Anthony Nellis extended the lead in the second period (16:17) with his ninth goal of the year coming with the help of Gage Torrel (9).

Junior netminder Nick Kossoff turned in a sparkling performance in between the pipes for the Lakers turning aside all 28 shots faced on the night to earn his first shutout of the season.

The Lakers were outshot, 28-20, in the contest and went 0-4 on power play opportunities. The LSSU penalty kill halted BSU's lone chance with the man advantage.

Lake Superior will look to carry their momentum into tomorrow evening's (7:07 p.m.) series finale as they go for their first league sweep of the 2017-18 season.