SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State (LSSU) Lakers (10-16-2, 8-11-1 CCHA) are set to travel to Big Rapids, Mich. to face the Ferris State Bulldogs (10-16-2, 9-11-1 CCHA) for a weekend series in the CCHA.

Stories to watch:

• Earlier this season, both teams split their previous two matchups. LSSU claimed game one by a margin of 4-2 behind a multi-point night from both Reagan Milburn and Dawson Tritt, but the Bulldogs responded the next day, coming back from down 2-0 on neutral ice to win 3-2 at the Superior Ice Showdown: Traverse City Takeover, marking the 500th career victory for Ferris State Head Coach Bob Daniels.
• The Lakers enter the weekend coming off of a weekend split with Northern Michigan, securing the Cappo Cup for the second-consecutive year and fifth of the last six.
• Ferris State stood idle last week and will be looking to shake off the rust from the bye. However, the Bulldogs had been coming off of their best stretch of the season as winners of four of their last five, including a 2-0 shutout of #15 Minnesota State. 
• Both teams are currently jockeying for the same positioning in the CCHA standings with the Lakers holding a 0.017 edge in points percentage. Both sides will be looking to create some separation during the series.
• The special teams battle will be crucial in this matchup. LSSU boasts the fourth best power play percentage in the CCHA (.215) and the third best penalty kill percentage (.806) while the Bulldogs rank last in both categories (.128 PP%; .683 PK%).
• Connor Milburn enters the weekend leading the team in points with 21 while Timo Bakos (19), SashaTeleguine (18), Nate Schweitzer (18), Tritt (16), John Herrington (14), Evan Bushy (12), and R. Milburn (10) have also notched double-digit points so far this season.
• Teleguine is currently having a break out season in scoring as he ranks third in the CCHA for goal scoring with 13, including a 4-goal weekend against Bemidji State. 
• Schweitzer enters the weekend leading the team in assists with 15. 
• 22 different Lakers have recorded at least one point so far this season while 14 Lakers have scored at least one goal.
• Since the start of the 2018-19 season, the Lakers have combined for a 65-17-4 record when scoring the game's first goal.
• Another key to the Lakers success in recent years (since the 2018-19 season) has been the team's ability to preserve a lead as Lake Superior State has posted a 55-9-6 record when leading after the first period and a 76-3-2 record when heading into the third period with the score advantage. Last year, the Lakers recorded a 7-4-1 record when notching the game's opening goal, a 4-2-1 record when leading after one period, and a 4-1-1 record when leading after two periods of play.
• Defense has proven vital for the Lakers who are 20-4-1 since the start of the 2023-24 season when allowing two goals or fewer.