Box Score John Herrington scored and assisted as Lake Superior State earned a CCHA point in a 4-3 overtime loss at Ferris State. But the Lakers took a majority, four of the six points up for grabs this weekend on the road at Big Rapids, MI.

Laker head coach Damon Whitten told 99.5 YES FM's James Cardarelli after the game, "We took four of six points on the weekend. If we're continuing to build, win special teams and take four of six week-in and week-out, we're going to be close to where we want to be as a home ice team."

Herrington's first contribution came late in the first period with the Lakers down 1-0. Zipping up the left wing, he found a pocket of space along the wall at the half-wall and sent a probing pass toward Branden Piku, who crashed hard to the Ferris State net and banked it in for his fourth goal of the season. Herrington came to LSSU with a reputation for big shots, but his ability in distribution has grown leaps and bounds during his college career.

"You earn that space by having a weapon like that," said Whitten. "You get people to freeze and bite because they know you can shoot the puck and you're a threat. That creates a little extra space and time for that skillset."

Herrington's goal came on the powerplay to tie the game again, this time at 3-3 in the third. With the Lakers on the powerplay, Evan Bushy stepped up and fizzed a shot toward the net. Herrington, parked in the slot, redirected the puck hard off the stick of a Ferris State defender and in, leveling the score and ultimately earning the Lakers a point by forcing overtime.

Whitten said, "The powerplay goal was a key one. We moved Johnny around a little bit the last few weeks. We had him playing the bumper position in the middle. Tonight, instead of receiving it, it's a redirect. Evan Bushy had a good wrist shot down with a high tip there by Johnny Herrington. It's a really good job by our powerplay to get a puck to the net."

Xavier Jean-Louis scored the overtime winner on a rush for Ferris State. Jack Silich, Caden Brown and Max Dukovac also scored for the Bulldogs. Dukovac put the hosts ahead early in the third, before Herrington's equalizer minutes later.

Ryan Beck scored his first career Laker goal. The talented playmaker drove hard to the goal, and the puck clattered in off of him. But, as Whitten pointed out, he earned the chance to have a lucky bounce by driving hard to the net with aggressive intent.

"It's not the prettiest goal, but it's the habit of going to the net hard and being in the right spot. Great job by Ryan Beck. It's been a focus of our team offensively to win net fronts. He does a great job getting there. We talk a lot about William Ahlrik, but he's the one attacking from below the goal line, and he gets it there. Hopefully this breaks it open for Ryan this year."

The Lakers return home on Friday and Saturday to face Augustana at Taffy Abel Arena. Prior to Saturday's game, Lake Superior State's Men's Basketball team hosts Lawrence Tech at 2:00 PM at the Bud Cooper Gymnasium. Buy your tickets and arrive early, as the Lakers will honor the 2024-25 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament Regional Champions with a ring ceremony and banner unveiling. After the basketball game, attend the Superior Saturday Tailgate before the hockey game against the Vikings to round out a big day on campus.