SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State (LSSU) hockey team (4-6) is set to take on the Alaska-Anchorage (UAA) Seawolves (2-8) for a weekend series in the Last Frontier.
Both programs are coming off of series splits with LSSU having most recently bested Ferris State 4-2 before falling 3-2 in the Superior Ice Showdown in Traverse City, Mich. Meanwhile, UAA fell to rival Alaska-Fairbanks in overtime by a margin of 3-2 in the Friday contest before storming back the next day 6-1.
LSSU leads the all-time series between the two programs 17-9-2, but the two teams split their most recent series in Sault Ste. Marie last season. Last year, the Lakers opened the series with a dominant 5-1 victory, but the Seawolves were able to escape the Upper Peninsula with a 3-2 win the following day with
Connor Milburn (Kamloops, B.C.) having scored in each game.
Other stories to watch:
- Both programs hold strong connections with one another as LSSU bench boss Damon Whitten was previously an assistant at UAA for two seasons (2006-08) under the direction of current Northern Michigan head coach, Dave Shyiak. Additionally, 2023-24 LSSU assistant coach Vincent Pietrangelo is currently serving as an assistant coach with the Seawolves.
- Porter Schachle and Dylan Contreras enter the weekend leading UAA in goals with 3 each while Dimitry Kebreau leads the Seawolves in points with 7 (2G, 5A).
- The Lakers enter the weekend with the nation's leading penalty kill unit, holding opponents scoreless on a perfect 37 out of 37 power play opportunities.
- 13 different Lakers have scored a goal so far this season, led by Dawson Tritt (Spokane, Wash.) with 4.
- 20 different Lakers have recorded at least one point entering the weekend with Tritt, C. Milburn, Reagan Milburn (Kamloops, B.C.), and Evan Bushy (Thief River Falls, Minn.) leading the way with 7 each.
- Bushy enters the weekend as the team's leader in assists with 7.
