Box Score

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – Freshman forward Matt Wilkins scored his first career goal, but No. 13/13 Union men's ice hockey (9-5-4) fell, 4-1, at Lake Superior St. (11-10-0) in front of 1,440 fans at Taffy Abel Arena.

The Dutchmen finished 0-for-5 on the man advantage, including two third period chances while trailing by two goals in the third period. The last power play opportunity came at 16:10, when Chris Ciotti was sent off for cross-checking.

Freshman defenseman Sebastian Gingras fired a slap shot from straightaway in the opening moments of the man advantage, but Lake Superior State goaltender Kevin Kapalka (22 saves) came up with the key stop.

Lake Superior State's Nick McParland notched an empty–net goal at 18:32 of the third period to seal the win.
The Lakers got off to a quick start, scoring on their first shot on goal in the first period on play off the rush.

LSSU's Zach Sternberg joined the play late, took a pass from Domenic Monardo and fired a low shot past junior goaltender Troy Grosenick (23 saves) at 2:17 to give Lake Superior St. a 1-0 lead.

The Dutchmen answered quickly just over a minute later as Wilkins broke through for his first tally. Junior forward Mat Bodie fired a shot from the point that kicked back out to the slot. Wilkins found the rebound and beat Kapalka with a low wrist shot to tie the game at 3:36.

Lake Superior State's Monardo would give the Lakers the lead later in the period, scoring off a faceoff win by Kellan Lain at 12:08 to put the home team up 2-1.

The Dutchmen had three consecutive power plays spanning the end of the first period and into the second period but were unable to tie the game. Union's best chance came on the third power play, with LSSU's Kellan Lain in the penalty box for hooking at 2:28 of the second period.

Senior forward Wayne Simpson cut around the Lake Superior State defense and shoveled a shot on net that Kapalka covered.

Shortly thereafter, the Lakers took a two goal lead as McParland fed Buddy Robinson with a stretch pass, setting up a 2-on-1. Robinson cut into the slot and beat Grosenick low to put LSSU up 3-1.

The Dutchmen kept themselves in the game with a strong penalty kill later in the period, as freshman defenseman Tim Boyle was issued a game-misconduct for hitting from behind at the 11:00 mark. Union killed off the subsequent 5:00 man advantage and carried the momentum late in the second period.

Junior forward Daniel Carr nearly pulled Union within one goal late in the frame, stealing the puck from Lain and firing a wrist shot off the crossbar with 2:05 to play in the second period.

Union will close out the series against Lake Superior St. on Saturday with a 7:05 p.m. contest at Taffy Abel Arena.