Cullen Maksimowski, LSSULakers.com

BIG RAPIDS, Mich.—The Lake Superior State Hockey team fell to Ferris State, 4-1, Friday evening in the first of two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association series inside the Bulldogs' Ewigleben Ice Arena.

With the loss, the LSSU slips to 10-21-4 on the season with an 8-16-3 mark in league competition. FSU moves to 13-21-1, 10-16-1 and secured at least the eighth seed in the WCHA Tournament.

For the Lakers to secure a spot in the postseason, they must collect a win and all three conference points in Saturday's series finale against the Bulldogs. Alaska-Fairbanks must also drop its series finale at home against Alaska Anchorage thus giving LSSU the No.8 seed based on the criteria of fewest conference losses.

The Lakers fell behind early on when Corey Mackin got the Bulldogs on the board just 45 seconds into the game.

Mackin added another at the 2:38 mark of the second and Zach Szajner gave Ferris a 3-0 lead at the 15:12 mark.

Lake State scored their lone goal of the evening when freshman forward Hampus Erikkson scored 10:49 into the third period on an assists from Anthony Nellis and Max Humitz. FSU iced the game with an empty netter from Coale Norris in the final minute of regulation.

The Lakers held a 38-30 advantage on the shot chart in the loss and were 1-of-5 on power play chances. The Bulldogs were 0-of-2 with the man advantage.

Puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m. Saturday and will be streaming live on WCHA TV.