Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 A second straight 2-1 victory over Northern Michigan puts Lake Superior State squarely in the driver's seat to retain the Cappo Cup.

Connor Milburn scored a shorthanded goal in the third period to lift the Lakers (8-13-1, 5-9-0 CCHA) over the Wildcats (1-21-0, 1-13-0 CCHA). He stripped the puck in the neutral zone, attacked the goal with intent and crammed home the game-winner at 9:33 of the final period to put the Lakers in the lead for good.

Laker Head Coach Damon Whitten told 99.5 YES FM postgame, "Connor Milburn is a great leader and a great teammate. He just drives us in so many ways. That will be a big catalyst for him in the second half, with a huge game-winning goal, shorthanded by him."

Hadley Hudak scored his first career tally from close range at 17:12 of the first period, a powerplay goal from Mike Brown and Wilson Dahlheimer. Off the faceoff win by Dahlheimer, Brown stepped up and ripped a shot toward goal that bounced to Hudak's stick. The sophomore rifled in a backhander before celebrating the strike, his first collegiate point.

"Big strong body," Whitten said about the 6-foot-3, 190 pound sophomore. "We like the pace he plays with. He's very tough. Whether its taking a hit, getting to the net, he's willing to pay the price. Like any young guy, he's just learning. Now he's chipping away and taking advantage of his opportunities. That's what we ask guys to do. When your number gets called, be ready. He was certainly ready tonight, and in the little bit he's been going here, he's just playing better and better hockey. It's great to see. We're very happy for him."

Hudak's goal put the Lakers in front, but Caiden Gault tied the game at 11:59 of the second period for NMU. Kyle Bettens drove hard to the goal and tried to tuck the puck in backhand. But it settled in the low slot and Gault attacked to tie the game at 1-1.

But like Saturday night, goalies stole the show. Rorke Applebee made a couple of unbelievable saves, stopping 43 pucks in the win, while Oliver Auyeung-Ashton made 28 saves for NMU. 

"I thought a great goalie battle both ways," said Whitten. "Their guy had to make some big-time saves and keep it a close game. Great goaltending all weekend long. We love our guy, Rorke Applebee. He's been so consistent and at the top of his game."

The head coach praised his team's defensive corps for its work this weekend. The Lakers blocked 17 shots on Saturday, then blocked 15 more in Sunday's win.

"They've been good all year. Now you're starting to see the best of Luke Antonacci. I thought he had a great weekend and a great Kwik Trip Holiday Faceoff. Evan Bushy's been giving it all year long. Druskinis, scoring on the powerplay and even strength. I think Mike Brown is so important to our team with what he brings. Then you have Sam Belanger and Tyson Galloway, who have that length and skating ability. They're tough kids, they're competitive kids, and they're long and they can skate.

"We like what that back end's done," he continued. "We've got guys trying to fight their way in there and guys trying to continue to ride the way they're playing. We're really happy with what we got this weekend. We gave up one goal each game. If you defend like that and get goaltending like that, you're going to win a lot of hockey games."

Saturday's matchup rarely felt like it was about to pop off with extra aggression. Both teams walked up to the line, but rarely seemed intent on crossing over it.

Sunday's matchup? A bit different. Several massive hits went either way, and Caiden Gault of NMU received a five-minute major and a disqualification at the end of the game for slashing Carter Batchelder. There were several other moments where it felt very much like a heated rivalry between two teams that couldn't stand the fact that the other occupies a place in the same peninsula. 

"Wins are pretty," said the Lakers head coach. "They come in different shapes and sizes and forms at times. But it's pretty to win.

"It's part of why you enjoy rivalry games. There's some heat. There's some intensity. U.P. hockey – there's nothing better in the world than U.P. hockey and those rivalry games there." .

With two of four games complete between Lake State and Northern Michigan, the Lakers hold a wide edge in the battle for the Cappo Cup, awarded annually to the winner of the regular season series between the two teams. The Lakers hold the Cup, and with it, the tiebreaker if record and goal differential are even. NMU forcing overtime on Saturday keeps a slim chance alive. The Lakers have taken five of a possible six points so far. If the two teams are level with six points each after four games are completed, the Cup will be awarded on goal differential. If goal differential is also even, the Lakers retain. Two points in Marquette during the February 20th and 21st series would cinch up the trophy for LSSU outright, which has won the Cappo Cup four of the last five years.


The Lakers are off next week before hitting the road to face Bowling Green in a CCHA series. Then, LSSU hosts St. Thomas for the Superior Ice Showdown on Friday, January 23rd at GFL Memorial Gardens in Sault Sainte Marie, ON. Buy your tickets online, at the GFL Memorial Gardens box office, or at the Norris Center box office.