SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich, - The Lake Superior State hockey program (4-21-2, 3-15-1 CCHA) fell to the Bemidji State Beavers (11-9-5, 9-5-3 CCHA) by a final score of 3-2 on Friday.

The Lakers set the tone early as Timo Bakos (Augsburg, Germany) found himself in the right place at the right time to finish off the play with a goal at the 4:25 mark of the opening period with assists from Benito Posa (Flint, Mich.) and Jacob Bengtsson (Stockholm, Sweden). Tyler Williams (South Lyon, Mich.) would then steal away a loose puck in the corner and dove for the score in order to take advantage of the Beavers' goaltender being out of position at the 18:10 mark after the puck was played in by Cole Craft (North Bay, Ont.) and Bryan Huggins (Grand Rapids, Mich.) who each earned their first points of the season on the play, sending the Lakers into the first intermission with a 2-0 lead.

Midway through the second period, Ross Armour was able to capitalize on a power play opportunity after slotting home the one-timer.

Armour would then score his second power play goal of the game at the 12:35 mark of the third period to tie up the score at 2-2. Both teams would battle for the remainder of the game, including multiple shots narrowly missing and deflecting off the pipes. However, Alexander Lundman would break the Lakers' hearts as he found the back of the net with 16 seconds remaining in regulation for the game-winner.

Despite the loss, Ethan Langenegger (Kamloops, B.C.) was able to record 27 saves, and Williams was named as the game's third star.

The Lakers will look for the series split in game two on Saturday, Jan. 28 with puck drop scheduled for 6:07 p.m.