As he scored what held up as the shootout winner, Lake Superior State sophomore Adam Barone skated back to his bench, clutching the golden anchor at the center of his sweater. Pumping the logo, pointing right at it as he returned to his team, the Sault Sainte Marie, ON, Canada native sent the Taffy Abel Arena into a frenzy, as the Lakers clawed back to earn a 2-2 tie and an extra point in a shootout over rival Michigan Tech on Friday night.

"You're happy for Adam," said Laker head coach Damon Whitten after the game. "He's worked so hard at it. We've talked so much about the summer he had, and he's all in. He's played so well, from the drop of the puck this season right through tonight. Theres a lot of confidence by the coaching staff to put a defenseman out to shoot first. He does a good job. He loves playing here. He loves being part of it, and he's a huge part of it. So it was great to see. On the other side of it, Rorke Applebee shuts the door. Obviously, you love to see that as well, and Rorke was tremendous again tonight."

Applebee made 31 saves for Lake State (9-18-2, 6-14-1 CCHA), dazzling a raucous crowd with stellar goaltending. He made the save of the season on a 2-on-1 in the third period, a full-stretch stop to his right. In a game where the Lakers were outshot early and pulled themselves back in, Applebee's work in net proved critical to earning the majority share of the points.

Ryan Beck tied the game at 19:31 of the third with a goal from Connor Milburn and Calem Mangone. While Michigan Tech (20-10-3, 15-5-3 CCHA) brought a solid contingent of fans, including their pep band, the Laker faithful, led by the Lake Superior Soundwave band, drowned out the opposition. After a massive hit by Sasha Teleguine in the neutral zone, the crowd electrified around the Lakers, while relentlessly leaning on the Huskies. It was a tremendous college atmosphere for a massive rivalry game.

Whitten pointed to Teleguine's hit as a game-changing moment. "They're waiting for something big, and then what happens? Sasha Teleguine throws a great hit, a clean hit, a heavy hit. It's probably the spark we needed as a team and for the crowd. They were unbelievable after that. I thought it was a great show. Overtime was end to end. Great chances on each side of it and obviously the shootout victory was outstanding for the home crowd."

The overtime provided several great chances to end the game for either team, but the contest ultimately went to a shootout. Barone scored on the first shot, tucking the puck in five-hole. Applebee made two saves and poke-checked the Huskies second attempt, clinching two points in the CCHA standings.

"I think we deserve a lot of credit to stick with it and win even strength," Whitten said. "You always want to win special teams. We didn't get that done tonight. Huge for us to get that shootout victory without winning special teams."

The Lakers didn't win special teams because for the second time this season they had no power plays.  The first time came a few weeks ago against Bowling Green. But the Lakers showed resiliency and tenacity as they grew into the game. Despite the Huskies holding a 13-3 lead in shots on goal after the first, the two teams were even across the following two periods.

Jack Anderson scored at 8:15 of the second period to break a scoreless tie for Michigan Tech. 48 seconds later, he hammered home another. The senior is on a four game goal streak and has struck for 10 total this season.

Evan Bushy countered for LSSU, attacking a loose puck from the neutral zone. Driving downhill toward goal, the Laker assistant captain rifled a shot in at 14:11 of the second from Reagan Milburn and William Ahlrik. It was a just reward for the junior, who notched his 40^th career point in a stellar game. His defensive work was outstanding, and he played a probing, incisive attacking game, regularly threatening the Huskies goal on the drive.

But Beck's late equalizer, with the Laker net empty, earned at least a point, while Barone's shootout winner sent the crowd home happy.

"You know playoffs are looming," Whitten said. "They're right around the corner. You can feel it. You're watching the Olympics with this elite level hockey. You've got playoff college hockey right around the corner. You can feel it elevate. It's going to be a tremendous game again tomorrow night."

Speaking of the Olympics, Friday was a big day for the current Lakers and former two-year captain Louis Boudon. The Frenchman scored twice and assisted a goal in the Olympics in a 6-3 loss to Czechia. But against some of the best players in the world on one of the Olympic Games' best teams, Boudon looked right at home with the game's elite.

Boudon's scoring outburst against Czechia came a day after Lukas Kaelble played for Germany in the Olympics. The Germans beat Denmark 3-1. Kaelble captained LSSU during the WCHA Tournament Championship season of 2020-21, a team that starred Boudon, who would wear the C for the two following seasons.

"We're so proud of those guys," said Whitten. "Lukas Kaelble, an amazing young man, a great captain, wins everywhere he goes. What a great opportunity he's earned. And then Louis Boudon has two goals and an assist in a five minute span against a great Czechia team. Another great Laker and great captain, one of the best young men I've been around.

He continued, "How great for Lake State. We already have several Olympians up on the wall. We get to add a couple more, and we're really proud to be a small piece of their path."

The Lakers NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Team partnered with LSSU's ACHA Division I Women's Ice Hockey Team for Her Hockey Day at Taffy Abel Arena. Lake Superior State honored women who shape the game, on and off the ice. From administration to the team's players, to the tandem of official scorers, Shelbey Smith and Chelsea Meehan, the night was full of celebrations for the women of the sport in Sault Ste. Marie.

On Saturday, the ACHA Women's Hockey team faces Sault College at Pullar Stadium at 1:30 PM, part of the Katie Robinson Memorial Showcase.  The two teams will finish their series on Sunday at Abel Arena. Robinson's mother, Nancy, dropped the ceremonial puck on Friday night, as teams from the showcase packed in to watch the rivalry matchup between LSSU and MTU.

"It's a special week around here with the Katie Robinson Tournament," Whitten told 99.5 YES FM. "To have a chance to be a part of that is really special for the Robinson family. We're very fortunate and blessed to give them some solace in their loss. We're happy to be a part of that."

On Saturday, Lake State squares off again with Michigan Tech at Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, to settle their NCAA Division I rivalry for the season. Opening faceoff is set for 6:07 PM. Buy your tickets online or at the Norris Center box office.