Calem Mangone and Wilson Dahlheimer scored for Lake Superior State, but the Lakers (11-20-2, 8-16-1 CCHA) dropped a 5-2 loss to the Ferris State Bulldogs (6-25-1, 3-11-1 CCHA) on Thursday night at Taffy Abel Arena.

Dahlheimer's goal, at 12:23 of the second period, marked the 10th point of the sophomore's career in his 49th career game. Laker Head Coach Damon Whitten praised his play after the game.

"He was maybe our best guy tonight with habits and compete level," he said. "I think that goal got us right back into it and we had a good push. [Wilson] has played really hard. He's been really good for us all season, but the last few weeks he's elevated his game. It's not surprising to see him getting rewarded because he's playing and competing so hard."

The goal came on a heavy wrist shot from the right side of the high slot. Dahlheimer kept the puck in the Bulldogs zone on a lofted clearing attempt, split through a number of defenders and uncorked a missile that found paydirt for his fifth goal o fthe year 

The Bulldogs jumped out to a two goal lead in the first period before Calem Mangone scored a power play goal at 11:59. William Ahlrik played a pass from the right circle, deep toward the far post. The puck banged off of Mangone and into the Bulldog net. Whitten often talks about creating your own luck - while this particular deflection was fortuitous, it's created by an incisive, probing pass by Ahlrik into a danger area. Mangone, who continues to impress during his stellar freshman campaign at LSSU, makes it happen by driving to the front of the net without the puck and making himself available for the pass.

Regardless of the play's result, it's the kind of action that causes problems for opposing defenders at all levels of the game and points to why both players have had such successful campaigns. You make your own luck, and both players created the opportunity through positive, aggressive play.

"You gotta earn it," said Whitten. "That's the beauty of our game, and that's the challenge of our game."

Rorke Applebee made 22 saves for LSSU.

The Lakers and Bulldogs square off again on Friday at 7:07 PM. It's Senior Night at Abel Arena, and the Lakers will recognize Connor Milburn, Sasha Teleguine, Mike Brown, Bryan Huggins, and Ryan Beck prior to the game. Fans should arrive early to honor the senior class. Buy your tickets online or at the Norris Center box office.