SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich, - The Lake Superior State University hockey program (7-22-2, 6-16-1 CCHA) secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Saint Thomas Tommies (9-20-2, 8-13-2 CCHA) after Jared Westcott (Imperial, Mo.) slotted home the game-winner with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.

Both teams battled early in a scoreless opening period, but it was the play of goaltender Ethan Langenegger (Kamloops, B.C.) that kept the Lakers in the game in a period where they were outshot 15-6.

True freshman Connor Milburn (Kamloops, B.C.) would get the Lakers on the board first at the 12:08 mark of the second period after finding himself in the right place at the right time following a rebounded shot from Tyler Williams (South Lyon, Mich.). Jack Jeffers (Oakville, Ont.) would also pick up an assist on the play. However, the Tommies were able to knot up the score at 1-1 a few minutes later with a strike from Luke Manning.

Both teams dug in defensively in the third period with each team killing off a five minute major penalty while blocking several shots in the process, but late in the game, at the 18:18 mark, Westcott fired the puck from along the goalline into the upper corner of the net after being set up by Brandon Puricelli (Ellisville, Mo.) and Jake Willets (Monroe, Mich.) to secure the Lakers' third win in their last four contests.

The Lakers will be going for the sweep when they face the Tommies for game two on Saturday, Feb. 18 with puck drop scheduled for 6:07 p.m.