UpNorth - Sports

Laker's Hockey Splits Weekend WIth Northern

2010-11-07T09:56:00.000-08:00

LSSU's Domenic Monardo pushes the puck towards the net around NMU's Kory Kaunisto Saturday.

Line up all of the penalty sections of Lake Superior State University Laker (LSSU) ice hockey box scores from any given season and it is obvious which weekends the Northern Michigan University Wildcats (NMU) were in town. This weekends Upper Peninsula match-up was no different and certainly not a disappointment to fans that filled Sault Ste. Marie’s Taffy Abel Arena to watch as the CCHA opponents split the two game set.

Despite providing the Lakers with a 5 to 1 power play advantage and being out shot 43 to 29 the Wildcats managed to win the series opening game. “We’re taking penalties. we’ve been very bad at that all year” said NMU head coach Walt Kyle of the power play advantage his team gave the Lakers this weekend. He was pleased with the Wildcats penalty killing efforts though, “I thought we took a step for sure, we’re growing, we’re getting better and that’s all we can do right now.”

NMU's Tyler Gron

Wildcat junior Andrew Cherniwchan started the game one scoring beating Lakers goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson just past the four minute mark of the first period with NMU individual points leader junior Tyler Gron picking up the Wildcats second goal eight minutes later. NMU reminder Reid Ellingson made 42 saves on the night giving up just one score to LSSU’s Domenic Monardo who took advantage of one of the Lakers four second period power play opportunities to score the Lakers only goal of the night while NMU‘s Jarrod Brown picked up their third score in the games final period with Greger Hanson tacking on a last minute empty netter to round out the night and give the Wildcats the 4 to 1 victory.

“I don’t know if our guys just thought it was going to be easy, I don’t know what they were thinking.” LSSU head coach Jim Roque said of Friday nights game. “Obviously I didn’t do a good enough job to convince them that Northern was going to show up last night (Friday) to play.”

Both coaches opted to start freshman goaltenders for Saturday nights game and LSSU’s Kevin Kapalka (2-1-1) won the penalty filled battle of the first year goalies as the Lakers came back from the Friday night loss to defeat the visiting Wildcats 3 to 1.

LSSU's Kevin Kapalka

Coming off an outstanding weekend against Ohio State NMU net minder Jared Coreau fended off 16 power play shots and 14 even strength shots giving up three scores while Kapalka stopped 21 shots forking over only one power play goal to the Wildcats Justin Florek.

LSSU's Kyle Jean

With all of the nights scoring coming in the second period LSSU freshman Kyle Jean picked up his first goal as a Laker scoring shorthanded at the 5:26 mark followed up by LSSU team captain Rick Schofield’s fourth goal of the year. Schofield’s goal started a two minute flurry that included the NMU goal by Florek and the games final score by LSSU’s Domenic Monardo, his fifth of the season.

LSSU's Zach Trotman (center) goes up over NMU's Erik
Higby to knock the puck away from the front of Laker
goaltender Kevin Kapalka (left)

“We played good defensively tonight.” said LSSU head coach Jim Roque. “We were focused, we were intense and last night we weren’t.” “Kevin played good in net, I thought we did a good job around him, it was good, it was a real good split.”

After giving senior Brain Mahoney-Wilson the Friday night starts in goal and the Saturday night starts to freshman Kevin Kapalka over the last four weeks coach Roque is ready for a change next weekend. “Is he (Kapalka) going to play next Friday, yeah.” “He’s earned that right, he deserves an opportunity.” said Roque. “Right now I gotta play the guys that give me the best chance to win so I have to give him that chance to come back next Friday to see if he can handle it.”

Both teams will have home ice advantage next weekend against CCHA opponents as the Lakers (3-5-2) face Ferris State and the Wildcats (3-5-1) take on Bowling Green.

Lakers Sweep Colgate for First Two Wins

2010-10-24T14:12:00.001-07:00

Photos and Story - K. Johnston/Eagle FI

Colgates Francois Brisebois (front) and
LSSU's Dan Barczuk (back) chase down
a loose puck at center ice Saturday.

With their season off to a less than stellar beginning the Lake Superior State Lakers ice hockey team needed a confidence boost and they got it this weekend by sweeping the visiting Colgate Raiders. The Lakers took game one of the two game set narrowly defeating the Raiders 2-1 Friday then followed up Saturday with a nail biting, down to the wire 5-4 win.

Coming into the weekend the 0-4-1 Lakers (0-2-0 CCHA) were struggling to put together productive lines. “ I like our team a lot, I think its going to be really good but we just can seem to get the right guys with the right guys yet.” said Lakers head coach Jim Roque in Saturday’s post game interviews. “We just can’t seem to get the right mix.”

On Friday senior Laker goaltender Brian Mahoney-Wilson turned away 31 shots giving up just one goal to Colgate’s Brian Day during the first period of the game while LSSU sophomore Domenic Monardo picked up his third goal of the season on a first period power play with junior Dan Barczuk tacking on the game winner just over two minutes into the second period.

For Saturdays game two match-up Laker head coach Jim Roque switched to freshman net minder Kevin Kapalka, “I thought Brian (Mahoney-Wilson) played well last night and I wrestled with it all day” said Roque. “ I gotta play Kevin, I gotta give him some time to see if he can help us out through the season here and give Brian a break. ” Kapalka, now 1-1-0 as a Lakers goaltender, faced 30 Colgate shots on the way to his first win at Taffy Abel Arena.

LSSU goaltender Kevin Kalpalka makes a third period save Saturday night.

The Lakers game two offense included even strength goals by seniors Chad Nehring and Matt Cowie, junior Fred Cassiani and freshman Colin Campbell. Freshman Dan Radke came out of the offensive corner and through traffic with less than 15 seconds left in regulation play to bury the game winner giving the Lakers the 5-4 win and the sweep. Campbell and Radke’s goals are the first of the year for both and the first goals by any of the squads freshman so far this year.

LSSU freshman Dan Radke (14) shoots what would be the game winning shot
between the legs of Colgate defender Wade Poplawski (6)

“My freshmen have been very good right from day one.” Roque said when asked about his confidence in his freshman picks. “The problem with our team right now is our middle guys (sophomores and juniors) and they know it.” “That middle groups got to get going here. I just have to find places for them in some lines where they can get more touches of the puck, more opportunities to score but they gotta elevate their game too.”

LSSU individual points leader senior Rick Schofield picked up one assist each night and beat out Colgate’s Brian Day for the most face-off wins controlling the puck 41 times over the two games.

Colgate goaltender Alex Evin reaches to block a
shot during the third period Saturday night.

Colgate’s offense for the weekend included three goals by Day, with Saturday goals by sophomore Thomas Larkin and a power play score by sophomore Robbie Bourdon. The Raiders junior net minder Alex Evin fended off 26 of the 28 shots he faced on Friday and 35 of 40 he faced on Saturday.

While the Raider head back New York for a single game non league match up against Sacred Heart next weekend the Lakers will head to Miami of Ohio for their second CCHA series of the year. Headed into this week of the schedule the Miami Red Hawks were ranked in the top 5 in the nation.

2010 Rex Marquardt Memorial Softball Tournament

2010-07-05T14:40:00.001-07:00

Lightning batter Trevor Kelly connects with a pitch during the

Championship game of the Rex Marquardt Memorial Tournament.

Six mens fast-pitch softball teams rolled into Petoskey's Ed White Feild over the holiday weekend to participate in the 40th annual Rex Marquardt Memorial Tournament and when the dust had settled on Sunday afternoon it was the Midland/Frankenmuth area Lightning taking home this years championship trophy.

Sundays championship game wound up being a rematch of the previous evenings game between the Lightning and the Marshall areas Tiffany's. Undefeated through the weekend the Staurday matchup was the only game in the tournament where an opponent managed to keep the Lightning from winning by virtue of a mercy rule as the Tiffany's pitching and defense held the 2009 Class 'A' National Champion Lightning to just three runs.

Tiffany's first baseman Brett Szagesh looks to the umpire for a call

after scooping a throw from the dirt during the Championship game

of the Rex Marquardt Memorial Tournament.

The Tiffany's team was unable to contain the Lighning in Sunday's championship contest though as the reigning national champs managed to close out the game in five innings with a 7-0 shutout, mercy rule win. Lightning pitchers Sean and Tyler Kelly struck put 5 while giving up only one hit to the Tiffany's offense while Lightning batters Adam Saylor and Tyler Kelly led the offense with one home runs each.

Lightning pitcher Sean Kelly pitches during a Saturday

night game at the Rex Marquardt Memorial Tournament.

The Lightning's Sean Kelly also captured the tournaments top pitcher kudo's with 3 wins getting credit for 14 shutout innings giving up only three hits and registering 26 strikeouts. Bill Kunkel, also of the Lightning came away with the tournaments top batting honors hitting .444 for the weekend.

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Lakers Offense Frozen Out In Alaska

2010-02-24T06:34:00.001-08:00

After being swept by the University of Alaska in Fairbanks last weekend the Lake Superior State Lakers ice hockey team falls to 9th in the CCHA standings and have probably lost any shot at home ice during the opening round of the upcoming conference playoffs.

The Lakers offense went flat last weekend scoring only one goal in the two game series. Alaska scored four unanswered goals against junior LSSU goaltender Brian Mahoney-Wilson on Friday then four more against senior net minder Pat Inglis on Satuday tacking on an empty net score to make that final 5 – 1.

Senior Will Acton tallied the Lakers lone goal just past the halfway point of the second period Saturday. Lake Superior’s power play went 0 for 8 in the series managing only twelve shots on goal while they had the advantage.

The Lakers head west again next weekend to close out the regular season against U.P. rival Northern Michigan. While the Lakers have been dropping down the standings Northern has been making a charge up the list. With only one loss in their last eight games the Wildcats are on a roll headed into season finale series and the playoffs.

Lakers Split With #14 Ferris State

2010-02-24T06:33:00.000-08:00

LSSU's Rick Schofield (23) and Ferris State's Matt Case (16) chase a loose puck around

the Ferris net during Saturday nights game at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

While the weekend didn’t end as perfectly as the Lake Superior State ice hockey team seniors probably wished it had they certainly can’t hang their heads too much about their split with the nationally ranked Ferris State Bulldogs. This weekend was the Lakers final regular season home stand and the seniors got a special thank you from fans at a senior day ceremony following Saturday’s game.

2010 LSSU SENIORS - Images by Eagle Feature & Image

Headed into the third period of Friday nights match up leading the Lakers by two the Bulldogs were in the drivers seat and looking at a win. Lake Superior individual points leader Rick Schofield wasn’t having any of it though scoring the first Lakers goal just 44 seconds into the period. Freshman Domenic Monardo added the Lakers second and tied the score at 2 apiece at the 14:40 mark.

Ferris State’s Casey Haines put the Bulldogs back into the lead beating Lakers goaltender Brian Mahoney-Wilson with just 58 ticks left on the clock. Schofield answered by scoring on the Bulldog netminder Taylor Nelson ten second later to tie the score again.

With just over a half a minute left in the game the Lakers Will Acton found the back of the net with what would be the game winner for Lake Superior. “It was the most devastating loss I’ve been involved with in college hockey.” Ferris head coach Bob Daniels said of the Friday 4-3 loss.

Ferris State goaltender Pat Nagle deflects away a shot during Saturday nights

game against Lake Superior State at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

Badly in need of a win going into Saturday night the Bulldogs started their goaltending ace Pat Nagle to see if he could shut down the Lakers. Nagle made 24 saves, including a big one that would have tied the game with less than two minutes left on the scoreboard. The junior goalie gave up just one power play goal as Ferris State battled to a 2-1 win over the home team Lakers.

LSSU's Will Acton fires a shot at the Ferris State net during Saturday

nights game at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Bulldogs Mike Embach and Casey Haines accounted for the two Ferris goals while LSSU’s Will Acton picked up his second point of the weekend with the Lakers lone goal.

Noting the Bulldogs recent winless stretch coach Daniels summed up Saturday’s win as “just one we really needed”.

“I liked our effort tonight better than last night actually.” said Lakers coach Jim Roque after Saturday’s loss. “Obviously the outcome was better last night.” “Just couldn’t find a way to get another goal.”

With two weeks left in the regular CCHA season, and everyone starting to talk playoff’s, Ferris State heads to MSU next weekend while the Lakers will make the trip west to face Alaska before returning to Michigan to end their year against Northern Michigan in Marquette.

Laker Fans Honor Hockey Seniors

2010-02-15T11:51:00.000-08:00

Even though there are still two weekends of the regular season and the CCHA playoffs yet to be contested this past weekends ice hockey series against Ferris State was the final regular season home stand for the Lakers. At the conclusion of Saturday's game this years seniors were honored with in a Senior Night ceremony.

Below is a short slideshow of images of this years seniors from our 2009/10 coverage (photo of Mitch Edmondson courtesy of LSSU Athletic Department).

2010 LSSU SENIORS - Images by Eagle Feature & Image

This years group of departing senior classman includes defenseman Steven Kaunisto (#5), forward Brad Cooper (#11), defenseman Simon Gysbers (#12), forward John Scrymgeour (#19), forward Pat Aubry (#20), forward Zac MacVoy (#27) and goaltenders Pat Inglis (#30) and Mitch Edmondson (#31).

Lake Superior State Hockey Swept by Miami of Ohio

2010-02-08T07:10:00.000-08:00

For the second time in their last four games the Lakers suffered a near complete defensive breakdown Saturday to lose the final game of their weekend series against Miami of Ohio. After falling 2 – 0 Friday night Lake Superior State utilized all three of their goaltenders in their 10 – 4 Saturday night loss to the Red Hawk’s.

The Lakers offense was unable to find a way to score on the nations number one defense Friday night but their efforts held the Red Hawks to just one goal until the last second of the game when Miami’s Andy Miele scored an empty netter upping the score to 2 – 0.

After giving up goals to Miami’s Miele and Tommy Wingels in the first 8:17 of Saturday nights game Lakers starting goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson, who had been bothered by a hip injury earlier in the year, was replaced by senior Pat Inglis. Inglis gave up five goals to the Red Hawks before the games halfway point prompting Lakers head coach Jim Roque to call on his last net minder, senior Mitch Edmondson, who played the games final 32:53 and allowed the Red Hawks last three goals of the night. The appearance was Traverse City West graduate Edmondson’s first of the year.

Even though LSSU out shot the Red Hawks 75 – 64 in the series the Lakers were unable to score their first goal of the weekend until well into the second period Saturday. Domenic Monardo tallied a shorthanded goal, his first of two scores on the night, at 10:46 of the middle period to finally put the Lakers on the board. Nick McParland and Chad Nehring added even strength goals to the Lakers offensive efforts.

Entering the weekend tied with Notre Dame for fourth in the CCHA standings the pair of losses plummets LSSU to eighth. Swept by Western Michigan, Notre Dame remains tied with the Lakers in the conference standings.

Lake Superior State returns to Sault Ste. Marie next weekend to face Ferris State in their last regular season home stand of the season. The Lakers and Bulldogs will face off at 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday night at Taffy Abel Arena.

It's Super Bowl Time!

2010-02-06T18:13:00.000-08:00

Yes, we know, the pre-game show this year started sometime Thursday morning, at least it certainly feels that way.

Where is your favorite place to hang out and enjoy the game?

Leave us a comment to let us know! Come back on Monday to vote for your favorite Super bowl commercial on our sports poll!

Lakers Ice Hockey To Face #1 Miami of Ohio This Weekend

2010-02-04T14:23:00.001-08:00

After a week off the Lake Superior State Lakers ice hockey team heads south to face the Miami of Ohio Red Hawks in Oxford, Ohio. Miami is currently ranked number one in the nation and are firmly situated atop the CCHA standings a full ten points ahead of number two Michigan State. Lake Superior remains in the fourth position, tied with Norte Dame.

The Coach Jim Roque will have to direct the first game of the weekend without the teams individual points leader Rick Schofield who has to sit out a game as the result of a penalty in the Lakers last game against Notre Dame. The rest of the Lakers squad will have to find a way to get the puck past one of the best defenses anywhere. Miami goaltenders Cody Reichard and Connor Knapp are first and second respectively on the CCHA list of lowest goals against average and first and third respectively in win percentage. Add on a 90% penalty kill and the Red Hawks are tough to beat.

Miami is not invincible though. Chinks in their armor this year include losses to Michigan State, Bemidji State and a pair to Robert-Morris who the Lakers swept the weekend before they beat the Red Hawks.

While most media sources acknowledge that the Lake Superior State is having a good year they don’t seem to expect them to finish very strong. Win or lose this series could be one of the biggest of the season for the Lakers. Wins or ties confirm that they are indeed a team worthy of national notice and would be a major confidence boost while losses could be the motivation they need to head into their last three match ups of the season and the playoffs having something to prove.

Game audio is available through WYSS, 99.5 YES FM via their website. http://www.yesfm.net/

X Gamer Pastrana Wins Sno-Drift Road Rally

2010-02-03T10:11:00.000-08:00

Open class winner Subaru Rally Team USA's Travis Pastrana and Christian Edstrom drive toward the finish of the fifteenth stage of the 2010 Sno-Drift road rally just ouside Atlanta, MI.

January 31, 2010 - X games favorite Travis Pastrana got the full rock star treatment from the hundreds of spectators from across the Great Lakes region who turned out to watch him and his Subaru Rally Team USA partner Christian Edstrom win the 2010 Sno-Drift road rally race in Atlanta, Michigan. Road rally racing is considered to be an extreme sport and, according to the events sanctioning body Rally America, it will be a part of the 2010 Summer X-Games. Teams are required to drive street legal cars which in the case of the Sno-Drift means no studded tires.

With fans filling the designated spectator areas Pastrana, along with a field of international drivers, tackled the two day, twenty stage rally that wound its way through 130 miles of back roads in Montmorency county this past Friday and Saturday. Extremely icy road conditions caused by recent warmer than normal weather were the big news of the weekend. The three top open class finishers all made note of the treacherous conditions and their effect on the race. “It’s literally like driving on a frozen pond.” said driver William Bacon between stages “in sections, its gotta be two inches thick of just ice.”

Open class second place finishers the Rockstar sponsored Antoine L'Estage and
Nathalie Richard drive toward the finish of the fifteenth stage of the 2010
Sno-Drift road rally just ouside Atlanta, MI.

“Trying not to get to aggressive was the key for us” said Pastrana who finished just over a minute and a half ahead of the Mitsubishi of second place finishers Antoine L’Estage and Nathalie Richard and more than six minutes ahead of the third place team of William Bacon and Peter Watt. Pastrana credited Friday’s seven and a half mile long “Ranch” stage as one of the key sections of the race. “Every year it’s got that one stage that feels like a motocross track. It’s the only time that I can really feel like I can take my background from motocross and really be able to judge where the ruts are.” “It does come down a lot to just going with your gut and at the end of that stage we almost doubled our lead on Antoine (L’Estage). It went from really a push, push, push rally to a okay, lets not make a mistake and see if you can make up the ground kind of rally.”

Fan favorite Ken Block, driving one of the events few American made cars, won the rallies opening leg but was unable to finish Friday and dropped out of the competition after suffering suspension damage while transiting between stages. “Ken always comes out of the blocks hot” said Pastrana at the post race press conference “when he gets a lead he’s almost impossible to catch. We were curious to see how the Ford was going to hold up and how he was going to adapt to it.”

Two Wheel Drive competitors Chris Duplessis and Catherine Woods look for traction
on the edge of a snowbank as they head towards the finish of the fifteenth stage of the
2010 Sno-Drift road rally just ouside Atlanta, MI.

Other notable finishers included Terry and Tim Hansen who finished fifth overall and top in the Super Production class as well as two wheel drive driver Christopher Duplessis and his partner Catherine Woods. With almost all of the two wheel drive cars in the event finishing at the bottom of the final results list Duplessis surprised even Rally America officials finishing eleventh overall ahead of more then half the field four wheel drive cars that completed the race.

Rally America’s national championship series moves to Salem, Missouri February 26th and 27th for it’s second scheduled event, the 100 Hundred Acre Wood rally. Complete results available at http://rally-america.com/events/2010/SnoDrift/results/

VIEW A SMALL SELECTION OF OUR PHOTO COVERAGE AT: http://www.photoshelter.com/c/eaglef

LSSU Tops Notre Dame in Overtime Shootout

2010-01-24T20:26:00.000-08:00

Lake Superior State goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson moves to make an overtime shootout save against Notre Dame in Saturday's overtime shootout in Sault Ste. Marie.

An outstanding career high 45 saves by Notre Dame starting goaltender Mike Johnson was enough to earn the Irish a tie with the home team Lake Superior State Lakers Saturday night in Sault Ste. Marie but not the win. The Lakers picked up two of the three possible conference points by winning the overtime shootout 1-0.

It took less than twenty seconds for the first player to be ejected from the Lakers, Notre Dame game Saturday night and both teams seemed to take it personally as they proceeded to rack up a combined 18 penalties for a total of 68 minutes including calls for spraying the goaltender and embellishment.

Notre Dame's Kevin Deeth (center) gets a hand from team mate Kyle Lawson (2) and the Irish trainer after taking a hit in the first period of their Saturday night game against Lake Superior State Saturday night in Sault Ste. Marie.

Less than 24 hours after Notre Dame head coach Jeff Jackson complained to the media about the number of bad hits his team has been taking this year the Lakers individual points leader Rick Schofield was disqualified from play at 00:15 on the official score sheet for a hit on Notre Dame’s Kevin Deeth. Seven and half minutes later LSSU’s Dan Barczuk was ejected for a hard check from behind that started a brawl in the Irish zone. Fans booed and cheered and players from both benches exchanged verbal taunts and hand gestures as penalties appeared, disappeared then reappeared on the scoreboard as officials sorted out the resulting 31 minutes of penalties.

Notre Dame right winger Kevin Nugent (20) and goaltender Mike Johnson (center) look on as LSSU's Nick McParland (10) celebrates the Lakers third period goal during Saturday nights game in Sault Ste. Marie.

Even with seven opportunities, including one in the overtime period, neither team managed a power play goal. The first score during regulation play came 59 seconds past the third period halfway mark when LSSU’s Zach Trotman, assisted by Pat Aubry and Steven Kaunisto beat Notre Dame goalie Mike Johnson giving the Lakers the games first lead. 23 seconds later Notre Dame’s Kyle Palmieri and Riley Sheahan set up left winger Nick Larson who got the puck past LSSU net minder Brian Mahoney-Wilson to even the score at one.

Lake Superior State's Domenic Monardo (left) puts the puck between the legs of Notre Dame goaltender Mike Johnson (right) for the winning goal in Saturday's overtime shootout in Sault Ste. Marie.

With the score stilled tied at one at the end of the five minute overtime period Notre Dame’s Ben Ryan was the first to skate in the tie breaker shootout. Ryan’s attempt failed to get the puck past the Lakers Mahoney-Wilson opening the door for the first LSSU shooter Domenic Monardo. Monardo picked up the puck at center ice and drove towards Notre Dames Mike Johnson scoring between the goaltenders knees and giving the Lakers the lead. With neither of the other two Irish shooters being able to score the Lakers walked away from the evening with two of the three points available for the nights game.

“Lake State played with a lot more energy, which I expected them to” said Notre Dame head coach Jeff Jackson “For us to come out with a win and a tie, hey I’ll take that anytime of the day.” Coach Jackson noted the outstanding play of the Irish defensemen who played almost 30 minutes each.

Looking down the road to the CCHA playoffs the points from this weekend and all of the remaining regular season games continue go grow in importance. A top four finish and a first round bye for Notre Dame could be big for team that has been struggling to get their full roster healthy. “It could be a big factor for us from an injury perspective.” said Jackson “We may be able to get a couple of guys back at that point.” “The extra week could certainly potentially help us.”

While results from this weekends series may not have been huge for Notre Dame’s playoff aspirations they could have a big effect on LSSU’s bid for a top four spot in the standings. The Lakers final four match ups are probably the toughest in the CCHA and depending on the outcome of the leagues review of the major penalties assessed in Saturdays game to Schofield and Barczuk coach Jim Roque could be facing conference leading Miami of Ohio in two weeks without one or both of them.

The Lakers have next weekend off before hitting the road to face Miami of Ohio, then back to the Sault for their final home stand of the season against Ferris State.

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Notre Dame Tops #18 Lakers

2010-01-22T18:57:00.000-08:00

Notre Dame goaltender Mike Johnson watches a blocked shot bounce away during Friday's game against Lake Superior State in Sault Ste. Marie.

Coming off a good showing against now tenth in the nation Michigan State last weekend the Notre Dame mens ice hockey team delivered the message that they are not out for the count as they captured an important road win against their CCHA rival Lake Superior State Lakers. The six to one victory moves the Irish three points closer to the top of the CCHA standings and what could be a much needed first round playoff bye.

"I was kind of surprised" said Irish head coach Jeff Jackson after the Friday night game "its been such a long first half as far as scoring goals, for us to score goals is a good thing." "We just needed to be patient, we had to play a good road game and I thought we did."

The Lakers Steven Kaunisto started the scoring when he beat Notre Dame starting goalie Mike Johnson from just inside the blue line one second past the two minute mark of the first. Notre Dame's Ryan Thang evened the score at one at 13:41 to close out the periods scoring.

Lake Superior State goaltender Pat Inglis stares down a shot from Notre Dame's Riley Sheahan Friday night in Sault Ste. Marie.

The second period was all Notre Dame as the Lakers where unable to slow down the Irish offensive pressure. Irish junior Ben Ryan and sophomore Patrick Gaul both scored within the first seven minutes of the period upping the score to 3 - 1. Less than two minutes later junior Calle Ridderwall beat LSSU starting goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson for Notre Dame's fourth score sending him to the bench. Ridderwall didn't do much for replacement goalie Pat Inglis' stats beating him twice before the end of the period to raise the Irish lead to five and complete a single period hat trick.

Neither team managed to find the back of the net in the third making Ridderwall's final goal the end of the evenings scoring. "We had a bad second period." said Lakers head coach Jim Roque. "They were way more desparate and hungry for the puck. We need a great effort tomorrow night to get a split." "We've got to play with more energy."

The one bright spot for the Lakers was their power play kill. Even with several opportunities the Irish's tied for best in the CCHA power play managed only one goal on a five on three chance in the second.

Notre Dame's Ian Cole lays on the ice after a hard check during the Irish's Friday night game against Lake Superior State in Sault Ste. Marie.

Already paying without several of their key players the Irish suffered yet another lose to their line up when junior Ian Cole was forced to leave the game with a possible concussion. "We lost Cole, again with another high hit, that's concussion number seven this year." said coach Jackson. "Its been tough on us." "Frankly I'm getting really tired of the high hits and checks from behind." "Its really become an issue and someone needs to do something about it."

The Lakers and Irish will face off for the final game of their weekend series tomorrow at 7:05 at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

Here Come the Irish

2010-01-21T15:21:00.000-08:00

This weekends match up against visiting Notre Dame could provide the nations #18 Lake Superior State Lakers ice hockey team an opportunity to put some breathing room between themselves and the three CCHA teams that are within reach of their current fourth place standing in the conference.

With fifth place Alaska, along with Michigan and Notre Dame who are tied for sixth, all within the maximum weekend series point total of six the Lakers will have to be on their ‘A’ game to stay in the conferences top four and increase their chances for a first round bye in this years CCHA playoffs.

Hampered by injuries throughout the season the Irish have been unable to put together any substantial winning steaks with their longest being four that included two regulation wins and two overtime shoot out wins. That by no means makes them a push over. Notre Dame’s goal scoring defense (goals against) ranks fifth in the conference, two spots above the Lakers, and their 20.1 power play conversion percentage is tied for first. Add on the three overtime shootout wins, an area that has been a problem for the Lakers, and the keys to a good weekend for LSSU will be to score early and minimize their time in the penalty box.

A good weekend could be a must for LSSU as they will hit the road to face off against the number two in the nation, conference leading Miami of Ohio next weekend and then number eight in the nation, third in the conference Ferris State the following weekend.

The puck drops for the Lakers and Irish both Friday and Saturday nights at 7:05 p.m. at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

LSSU Breaks Into Nations Top Twenty

2010-01-18T13:43:00.000-08:00

Coming off a pair of wins over the University of Nebraska-Omaha the Lake Superior State Lakers mens ice hockey team has broken into the nations top twenty for the first time this season. Placed at 18th in this weeks USCHO Division I national poll LSSU becomes the third Michigan team to make it into this weeks rankings.

Lake Superior State’s addition to the poll means that the top four teams in the CCHA’s are now ranked in the nations top twenty.

CCHA’s Ranked Teams

# 2 - Miami of Ohio
# 8 - Ferris State
#10 - Michigan State
#18 - Lake Superior State

Other CCHA teams that received votes in this week’s poll include Michigan, Notre Dame and Alaska.

Lake Superior still has to face both Miami and Ferris before the conclusion of their season but before that they will have to hold off Notre Dame this coming weekend at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

Last Minute Break Gives Lakers Win Over UNO

2010-01-16T00:16:00.000-08:00

University of Nebraska-Omaha's Jeric Agosta (left) and LSSU's Rick Schofield get ready for a second period faceoff during the Lakers and Mav's Friday night game.

K. Johnston/Eagle Feature & Image

Jan. 15, 2010 - LSSU was out shot 38 to 29 by the visiting University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) Mavericks Friday night but a score with less than two minutes left in the third period after a missed off side call put the game into the Lakers win column.

University of Nebraska-Omaha's Terry Broadhurst (top, center) and Jeric Agosto (bottom, center) watch as the puck goes into the LSSU net despite the eforts of the Lakers goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson (left) and defenders Kyle Haines (top, right) and Will Acton (bottom right) during the Lakers and Mav's Friday night game.

Both the Mavericks and the Lakers came into this weekends series looking to improve their CCHA standings and UNO managed to get on the board first just short of the halfway point of the first period when senior Jeric Agosto score from inside a scrum at the front of the Lakers net. The Lakers Nick McParland scored the only second period goal just two seconds after the end of a LSSU power play evening the score at one headed into the third.

LSSU's Will Acton (left) and Zach Trotman (right) grab team mate Rick Schofield (center) after he score the game winning goal during the Lakers Friday night game against the visiting University of Nebraska-Omaha.

With less than two minutes remaining in regulation time LSSU’s Will Acton stole the puck in the defensive zone and headed up ice accompanied by line mates Zach Trotman and Rick Schofield. Schofield found himself the recipient of an almost perfect pass from Acton and beat Mavs goalie John Faulkner for the game winner. Fortunatley for the Lakers the on ice officials did not whistle the play dead when Acton entered the zone ahead of the puck making him off side. Had the call been made it would have negated Schofields score giving the Mavs the chance to either score themselves or send the game to overtime.

Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks head coach Dean Blais voices his displeasure after the end of the third period about a missed call that cost his team their Friday night game against the Lake Superior State Lakers.

UNO head coach Dean Blais was visibly upset about the missed call pleading his case on the ice with officials after the final buzzer. “From my spot he looked off side, and after watching the tape he was definitely offside” said Lakers head coach Jim Roque after the game. “I feel bad for them, they played real hard tonight.”

The win, along with a loss by Alaska Fairbanks puts the Lakers into a tie for fourth in the CCHA standings for the time being. The Mavericks will have a chance to split the series when the two teams face off again Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. in Sault Ste. Marie.

Lakers Head Into Seasons Final Stretch Starting With Nebraska

2010-01-14T09:33:00.000-08:00

K. Johnston - EAGLE FI

Jan. 14, 2010 - Heading into the seasons home stretch the Lake Superior State Lakers ice hockey team has already matched their 2008/09 CCHA win record and have surpassed last seasons overall win total. If the Lakers can maintain their winning ways they might be headed towards what could be a very successful season.

The balance of the conferences fifth place Lakers schedule is filled with league opponents including three of the four CCHA teams they are chasing, two of which are ranked in the nations top ten. Head coach Jim Roque’s squad starts its run towards the playoffs at home this weekend against the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks at Taffy Abel Arena in the Sault. The Lakers and Mavs split their previous meeting last November in Omaha.

The Mavs head to Sault Ste. Marie coming off a split series with CCHA rival Alaska and trying to get back to the form that had them ranked in the nations top twenty for a good part of the early season. Nebraska will have to step up their offensive efforts if they hope to topple the Lakers who are coming off a tough road loss and an overtime shootout win against the top ten ranked Michigan State Spartans last weekend.

With four teams nipping at their heels and just one point behind fourth place Alaska the 12-8-4 overall and 7-7-2 conference Lakers will be fighting for a top four spot in the league standings to earn a first round CCHA playoff bye. The battle starts against the Mavs this Friday and Saturday before facing Notre Dame on the 22nd and 23rd of the month.

2nd, 6th,and 7th in the Nation Battle for Top of CCHA Standings

2010-01-14T08:10:00.000-08:00

K. Johnston - EAGLE FI

Jan. 14, 2010 - The number two in the nation Miami of Ohio ice hockey team will face off against the number six ranked Ferris State Bulldogs this weekend in a match-up of the top teams in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). Ferris State and the visiting Redhawk’s are tied with 34 points each in the CCHA standings just one point ahead of number three Michigan State who is also ranked in the nations top ten.

The Redhawks come into Big Rapids after being knocked out of the national number one spot by the unranked Robert Morris last weekend and looking to avenge the two overtime shootout losses they suffered at the hands of the Bulldogs last November. Playing without one of their top five goal scorers after freshman Travis Ouellette was suspended for two games as the result of an incident during the Bulldogs recent series against Notre Dame, Ferris, averaging 3.5 goals per game this season, may have to wring out every ounce of home ice advantage if they plan on capturing the leagues top position.

Miami will depend in its league leading goaltending and defense to try to shut down the Bulldogs offense including its CCHA leading power play. With both teams averaging almost twenty minutes worth of penalties per game the power play and penalty kill could easily become the determining factor in this weekends competitions.

A split weekend between the two teams could open the door for the Michigan State Spartans to make a move for the top of the league standings. A Spartans sweep of CCHA rival Notre Dame this weekend along with a Ferris State – Miami split would put the Spartans in the leagues drivers seat two points up on both the Bulldogs and Redhawks.

With all of the remaining games on Ferris, Miami and MSU’s schedules being conference matchups capitalizing on this weekend’s contests could be key in determining who winds up on the top of the CCHA heap at the end of the season.

Other Michigan CCHA teams include Michigan, LSSU, Western, and Northern.

2010 Michigan Dog Sled Racing Season Begins

2010-01-12T10:06:00.000-08:00

K. Johnston - EAGLE FI

Jan. 12, 2010 - Watching the mass of barking, whining and jumping unruly dogs in the starting shoot it’s hard to imagine them ever working as any sort of team. It looks like chaos but when the starter yells “GO!” the dogs are instantly silent and focused. The only sound you hear is the sliding of well waxed sled skis and gentle thumps of dog paws digging into the packed snow surface of the trail.

Courtney Frank of Lodi, OH and her six dog team crest the courses first hill at the inaugural Lake Louise/Thumb Lake Sled Dog Race.

Plenty of snow and cold temperatures were perfect for the opening weekend of the Michigan sled dog racing season. This past weekends inaugural running of the Lake Louise/Thumb Lake sprint races in Boyne Falls (south of Petoskey) and the Tehquamenon distance races at the Upper Peninsula’s Rainbow Lodge north of Newberry were the first of twenty-five scheduled Michigan events including one of the lower 48’s longest running.

Next weekends 45th running of the Midwest International Dog Sled Race at the Kalkaska Winterfest will continue the events legacy of being the oldest, continuously run sled dog race in the state and second oldest in the lower 48. A sprint race, the event also includes a weight pulling competition and is the only race in the state that will include an unlimited/open class where musher’s can run any number and combination of dogs they wish.

The two main types of sled dog events are sprint and distance races. Sprint races are generally shorter in length, less than ten miles, and include several different classes that are defined by the number and breed of dogs in the team. The length of the sprint courses vary within the same event based on the number of dogs allowed in the team.

A 12 dog team competes in a 2006 Tehquamenon distance race FILE PHOTO - EAGLE FI

Distance races also have different classes determined by the number of dogs in the teams but race lengths can be a hundred miles or more and last for several days. The largest distance race in the Michigan is the U.P. 200 that runs a 240 mile course from Marquette to Grand Marais and back. Run in the latter half of February the 200 hundred draws world-class racers and teams that can use their participation in the race as an Iditarod qualifier.

Other races of note on the Michigan schedule include the fan popular Mackinaw Mush in Mackinaw City, the Atlanta 45th Parallel Sled Dog Race, the Jack Pine 30 in Gwinn the upper peninsula’s Kinross Classic. Midwest race schedules and links to individual race websites can be found online at www.sleddogcentral.com

LSSU Lakers Spoil Spartans Bid For Top Spot in CCHA

2010-01-11T12:47:00.000-08:00

After a Friday night win over the Lake Superior State Lakers at Lansing’s Munn Arena the nationally ranked Michigan State Spartans looked poised to capture first place in the CCHA hockey league. All the Spartans had to do to move past number one Miami of Ohio was beat the Lakers on Saturday.

After losing a hard fought game 4-2 on Friday the Lakers took to the ice Saturday looking to hold on to their own fifth place in the league standings. The Lakers went after MSU starting goal tender Drew Palmisano hard in the first period with sixteen shots on goal but were unable to score. State’s Dustin Gazley scored the periods only goal beating LSSU starting net minder Brian Mahoney-Wilson with less than a minute left before the first intermission.

In the second period it was Mahoney-Wilson who had to face the offensive push fighting off all twelve of MSU’s shots on goal. LSSU’s Steven Kaunisto beat the MSU defense to tally the only goal of the second tying the score at one.

LSSU Dan Barczuk started the scoring 2:36 into the third period giving the Lakers their first lead of the game. MSU’s Andrew Rowe evened the score at 9:23 with the games only power play score. Less than a minute later Lakers individual points leader Rick Schofield picked up his second point of the night scoring a shorthanded goal and putting the Lakers back on top 3-2. With less than three minutes left in the game National Player of the Month the Spartan’s Corey Tropp tied the score at three and sending the game to overtime.

After a scoreless five minute overtime period each of the CCHA rivals received one point in the conference standings and then went to a three player shootout to determine who would get the final of the nights three possible points. The point moved MSU to within one of league leading Miami of Ohio and left LSSU tied with Ohio State for fifth.

MSU’s Dean Chelios got past Mahoney-Wilson in the first round of shots but neither of the Spartans subsequent shooters could score. The first two LSSU shooters were unsuccessful in their attempts at MSU goalie Palmisano but Zac MacVoy made his shot leaving the tie breaking chances to a fourth round of shooters. After misses by both fourth round shooters LSSU’s Domenic Monardo put the extra point into the Lakers season total leaving them once again in sole possession of the CCHA’s fifth spot.

Even coming off a sweep of the team that was sweeping the number one team in the nation while the Lakers were narrowly losing one and then tying one against a top ten team LSSU seems even further away from a national top 20 spot receiving less votes in this weeks polls than in lasts. A pair of losses by Miami of Ohio to Robert-Morris and MSU’s win over Lake State moved the Spartan’s up to seventh in the USCHO national poll

Lakers Hockey Sweeps Robert Morris, Win Streak to Six

2010-01-03T19:01:00.000-08:00

K. Johnston/ Eagle FI

JAN 3, 2010 - The Lake Superior State Lakers got out their brooms and started the new year off with a two game sweep of Pennsylvania’s Robert Morris University. The pair of wins extends the teams current win streak to six and considering regulation ties they are unbeaten in their last eight games.

Playing the first game of the series on Satuday instead of the usual Friday the Lakers, behind junior goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson, held off a third period flurry by the Robert Morris Colonials to win 7 to 6. Out shot 43 to 37 in the game the Lakers power play scored on three of their four opportunities while they managed to kill four of the five man advantage chances given to the Colonials.

EF&I FILE PHOTO - Lake Superior State University's Ben Power

Zach Trotman, Ben Power, Kyle Haines, Pat Aubry, Zac MacVoy, Simon Gysbers and Fred Cassiani all racked up scores against two of the three goalies the Colonials sent to defend the net. MacVoy also picked up his thirteenth assist of the season on Kyle Haines second period even strength goal.

EF&I FILE PHOTO - Lake Superior State University goaltender Pat Inglis

Senior Pat Inglis got the starting nod in net from Lakers coach Jim Roque for Sunday’s game two. Inglis held the Colonials scoreless for the full 60 minutes to tally his first shutout of the season. Matt Cowie and Rick Schofield scored the games only goals against Robert Morris goalie Brooks Ostergard. Cowie scored at even strength just past eleven minutes into the second assisted by Nick McParland and Chad Nehring. Schofield, assisted by Nehring and Zac MacVoy, scored late in the same period on one of the Lakers seven power play opportunities. The Lakers power play kill was flawless holding the Colonials scoreless on six attempts.

EF&I FILE PHOTO - Lake Superior State University's Chad Nehring

The Lakers head to Lansing next weekend to face off against the Michigan State Spartans. As of today the Spartans are the second highest nationally ranked Michigan team at 13th just two behind Ferris State who is ranked 11th.

LSSU Lakers Ice Hockey Ready to Start Seasons Second Half

2009-12-30T20:20:00.000-08:00

After finishing the first half of the 2009/2010 season four wins better than the same point last season the Lake Superior State University ice hockey team heads to Pennsylvania this weekend to start what could be the toughest second half schedule of any CCHA team.

After a pair of games against Robert Norris this weekend, who split with the Lakers at home last year, five of the eight teams LSSU will face in the second half are currently ranked in the nations top 20 including #1 Miami of Ohio, #12 Ferris State and #13 Michigan State. Tack on a season final match up against Upper Peninsula rivals Northern Michigan in Marquette and the Lakers could be primed to turn in an overall great season.

LSSU Lakers mens ice hockey head coach Jim Roque. FILE PHOTO - Eagle FI

“We’re excited we had a decent first half” said Lakers head coach Jim Roque, “we have the opportunity to have a great season.” Roque says confidence is a big plus for his team heading into the second half. “We’ve got some good older players” said Roque in a telephone interview Wednesday. “The last three games (before the holiday break) we started scoring goals and played better defensively”. “Our confidence has been dictated by our goalie.” he added. “Brian has played really well”. Brian Mahoney-Wilson’s team leading .920 save percentage “helps give other players the confidence to play better. They know it’s okay if they make a mistake.”

In addition to continued goal tending success the Lakers are going to need players who have had led in the first half to continue to produce. Players like junior Chad Nehring who leads the team in goals heading into the second half with eleven including six power play goals that account for 50 % of the teams total of twelve power play scores. Junior Rick Schofield who tops the individual points earners with 9 goals and 9 assists and senior forward Zac McVoy who’s team high 12 assists added to his four goals put him in second place of the individual points count with 16.

Currently in sole possession of fifth place in the CCHA almost every remaining game for the Lakers will be against another one of the leagues top seven teams. “They’re always tough games” says Roque of second half contests. With only seven points separating the second and fifth place teams every series in the second half has the chance of drastically altering LSSU’s league standings and whether or not they can call their season a success. Considering that only one team in the first half really dominated the Lakers, chances of a good finish are certainly within their reach.

Lakers Sweep Northern, Claim Fifth Place in CCHA

2009-12-13T13:19:00.000-08:00

NMU's Greger Hanson (left) and LSSU's Zach Trotman (5) chase a loose puck into the corner during the third period of Saturday nights game at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

Heading into the third period of the LSSU Lakers game against the NMU Wildcats Saturday night at Taffy Abel Arena it looked like it was going to be a carbon copy of the previous nights win by the home team Lakers. That was prior to the Wildcats turning up the heat and fighting back to within one with less than eight minutes to play.

LSSU senior forward Zac MacVoy put the Lakers on the scoreboard first beating NMU starting goaltender Reid Ellingson less than ten seconds into the first power play of the night. Concluding the first periods scoring junior forward Will Acton made it two nothing in favor of the home team on the second Laker power play opportunity.

LSSU's Chad Nehring (16) watches as NMU goaltender Brian Stewart (right) reaches for a rolling puck Saturday at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

Reversing their roles from Friday night, NMU’s Ellingson, who got the starting nod in goal from Wildcats coach Walt Kyle, was replaced by senior Brian Stewart just over half way through the first period. Coach Kyle acknowledged that goaltending has been a concern for the Wildcats ”It’s been an issue for us” he said in post game interviews.

Lakers junior Rick Schofield picked up his eighteenth point of the year when he scored the only goal of the second period by either team.

NMU's Jared Brown (15) gets ready to backhand the puck past LSSU goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson (35) for one of his two third period goals Saturday night at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

NMU junior Jared Brown put the Wildcats on the board scoring three and a half minutes into the third period. He racked up his second of the night less than three minutes later when he beat Lakers goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson on a short handed breakaway narrowing the Lakers lead to one goal. A minute and a half later LSSU senior John Scrymgeour returned the favor by scoring shorthanded against NMU net minder Stewart.

LSSU's John Scrymgeour celebrates after scoring a shorthanded goal against NMU Saturday at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

Wildcats Senior T.J. Miller brought the score back to within one with 7:43 left to play but empty net goals by the Lakers Zac MacVoy and Chad Nehring put the game out of reach and into the win column for LSSU.

The last games before the holiday break, the weekend sweep of the Wildcats extends the Lakers current winning streak to four, their longest of the season and puts them into sole possession of fifth place in the CCHA standings. “I think it was a really big weekend” said Lakers head coach Jim Roque. “It’ll be crazy over there at the end of the year.” referring to the two games the Lakers will play at NMU in February.

LSSU goaltender Brian Mahoney-Wilson (right) slides to block a breakaway shot by NMU's Andrew Cherniwchan (23) Saturday at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Lakers next game will be against Robert Morris on January 2nd and 3rd before facing off against number fourteen Michigan State on January 8th and 9th.

Lakers Power Past Wildcats In First Of Two

2009-12-12T08:11:00.000-08:00

LSSU's Fred Cassiani (13) breaks toward the net around NMU's Ray Kaunisto (left)during the second peiod of the Lakers Friday night game against the Wildcats at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

Lake Superior State University hockey team was less than a minute away from their second shut out of the year when Northern Michigan Universities Phil Fox jammed the puck in for the Wildcats only score in their 5 to 1 lose to the home team Lakers at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie last night.

LSSU's Rick Schofield watches the puck after a faceoff during the second period of the Lakers Friday night game against the NMU Wildcats at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

Lakers co-captain and individual points leader Rick Schofield started the Lakers scoring on what would be the first of the nights combined 12 power plays just over four minutes into the first period. He tallied the Lakers second goal less than three minutes later when he beat Wildcats starting net minder Brian Stewart on a shorthanded opportunity upping his point total to 17 for the year.

LSSU's Ben Power reacts after scoring during the third period of the Lakers Friday night game against the NMU Wildcats at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

Freshman forward Ben Power and sophomore forward Fred Cassiani added to LSSU’s lead both scoring in the third period sending NMU’s visibly frustrated Stewart to the bench. The Lakers Chad Nehring scored the games only even strength goal of the night when he sent the puck past the glove hand of the Wildcats Reid Ellingson just over 15 minutes into the final period.

NMU goaltender Reid Ellingson reaches unsuccessfully for the puck during the third period of the Wildcats Frisy night game against the LSSU Lakers at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

Prior to last nights game contests at Taffy Abel Arena were relatively low penalty affairs. One ten minute misconduct, one five minute holding call, two goaltender interference calls and three after the whistle roughing calls as tempers flared late in the third all helped bring the nights combined number of penalties to 19. The ten Lakers penalties were almost double their season average of 5.2 per game.

Referees try to break up a third period brawl between the LSSU Lakers and NMU Wildcats Friday night at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

LSSU's Matt Cowie (7) looks on as the Lakers starting goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson (35) makes one of his 30 saves during the second period of the Lakers Friday night game against WMU at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

Lakers starting goaltender Brian Mahoney-Wilson made 30 saves on the night while NMU’s Stewart stopped 33 of the 37 he faced and Ellingson stopped 6. The Lakers and Wildcats will face off again tonight in Taffy Abel Arena at 7:05 p.m.

SEE OUR COMPLETE PHOTO COVERAGE AT: http://www.photoshelter.com/gallery/LSSU-vs-NMU-Hockey-12-11-09/G0000vvnxgY4QVy0

UAF Hockey Team Tops LSSU To Split Weekend Set

2009-11-22T08:49:00.000-08:00

UAF's Joe Sova (11) tries to keep LSSU's Chad Nehring (16) away from Nanooks goalie Scott Greenham (35) during Alaskas Saturday night win over LSSU.

Down by two headed into the third period the University of Alaska Fairbanks hockey team turned up the heat on Lake Superior State University tying the score by the end of regulation play and claiming a 3-2 overtime win to split the weekend series at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

LSSU's Ben Power celebrates his first goal of the season during the first period of the Lakers Saturday matchup with the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Sault Ste. Marie.

From the opening face off it was clear that both teams had turned up the intensity a notch from Friday nights contest. LSSU lit up the scoreboard twice in the first period. Freshman Ben Power scored his first of the year with an assist from junior defenseman Dillin Stonehouse and less than three minutes later forward Chad Nehring beat UAF goaltender Scott Greenham to extend the Lakers lead.

Starting goalies, Greenham and LSSU’s Brian Mahoney Wilson, each faced one power play opportunity and less than ten shots in the second period to keep the score even headed into the third. Both teams had four power play opportunities over the course of the game but neither was able to capitalize.

UAF's Dion Knelsen (20) gets congratulated by the UAF bench after scoring in the third period of the Nanooks Saturday night win over LSSU.

Number ten ranked Alaska got its scoring started just over a minute into the third on a goal by senior Dion Knelsen. Knelesen tallied his second of the game and seventh of the year six minutes later to even the score and eventually send the game into overtime.

Alaska'a Bryant Mollie turns up ice with the puck during UAF's Saturday night win over LSSU.

Just over four minutes into the five minute sudden death overtime period Lakers goalie Mahoney-Wilson found himself facing a 4 on 2 that provided UAF’s Bryant Molle a scoring chance he took advantage of giving the Nanooks their eighth win of the year.

The split weekend moves the Lakers record to 6-7-1 and the Nanooks to 8-3-1 and fourth in the CCHA.
Alaska returns home to face Northern Michigan next weekend and the Lakers will travel to Troy New York to face non conference foes Union on Friday and Bentley/Rensselaer on Saturday in the Rensselaer Holiday Hockey Tournament.

LSSU Hockey Tops #10 Alaska

2009-11-21T11:46:00.000-08:00

Lake Superior State University's Chad Nehring chases the puck into the offensive zone during the Lakers Friday night 4-3 win over the University of Alaska Fairbanks at Taffey Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

With the exception of Michigan the Lake Superior State University ice hockey team has won at least one game against each of the nationally ranked teams they have faced. Friday night the Lakers showed their talent yet again as they beat the number ten ranked University of Alaska Fairbanks 4-3 at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

Just short of halfway through the first period LSSU jumped out to a two goal lead when, within a minute of each other, junior Rick Schofield and senior Brad Cooper each beat Alaska goaltender Scott Greenham. The Schofield goal was his fourth of the year and Coopers third.

University of Alaska Fairbanks Nik Yaremchuk celebrates after scoring against the Lake Superior State Lakers Friday Night at Taffey Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Despite a very near miss off the top bar in the first Alaska was unable to score until two and a half minutes into the second period when Andy Taranto racked up his fourth goal of the year just as a UAF 5 on 3 power play advantage expired. Alaska’s Nik Yaremchuk scored his first of two goals less than three minutes later tying the score at two.

Lake Superior State University's Rick Schofield (left) shoots during the first period of the Lakers Friday night 4-3 win over the University of Alaska Fairbanks at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

Rick Schofield scored his second of the night 5:30 into the second making the score 3-2 and giving LSSU back the lead. Laker Simon Gysbers increased the lead to two with what would turn out to be the game winning goal a few minutes later. Schofields two goals and an assist for senior Zac MacVoy on the Gysbers goal moved the two into a tie for the Lakers overall individual points lead.

UAF’s Nik Yaremchuk would close out the scoring in the second, and the game, with a power play goal at 13:42. The two goals were Yaremchuk’s second and third of the season.

Lake Superior State Lakers goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson stops a Ron Meyers (bottom left)shot during the second period Lakers Friday night 4-3 win over the University of Alaska Fairbanks at Taffey Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

The third period turned into a defensive struggle. In addition to 3 UAF and one LSSU penalties the period was marked with several offside and icing calls. Lakers goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson, who made 16 saves in the second period, and UAF goaltender Scott Greenham both faced only five shots on goal in the third.

The Lakers and Nanooks will face off again tonight at Taffy Abel arena.

THE FAN ZONE

The Fan Zone 11-20-09 - Images by Eagle Feature & Image

SEE OUR COMPLETE PHOTO COVERAGE AT http://www.photoshelter.com/gallery/LSSU-vs-UAF-11-20-09/G0000mPX4827DpBM

MSU Tops U of M in CCHA Matchup

2009-11-14T08:52:00.000-08:00

Michigan Sate Spartan Jeff Petry (EFI File Photo)

The Michigan State ice hockey team went into Ann Arbor’s Yost Ice Arena Friday night without a win in their last six meetings against their CCHA rivals the Michigan Wolverines. At the final buzzer the Spartans had successfully ended the number six ranked Maize and Blue streak with a 3 – 2 win.

University of Michigan Goalie Bryan Hogan (EFI File Photo)

The Spartans Andrew Rowe started the scoring just under 8 minutes into the first period with an unassisted goal against Michigan goaltender Bryan Hogan. Michigan’s Lee Moffie racked up the Wolverines first score just short of thirteen minutes into the second evening the score at one.

University of Michigans Lee Moffie (EFI File Photo)

State’s Matt Crandell picked up his first assist of the night on a second period goal by Corey Tropp that put the Spartans back up by one. He tallied his second when MSU increased its lead to two on Daulton Levielle’s game winning goal just over a minute into the third.

The Wolverines brought the score back to within one when Matt Hagelins scored his fourth goal of the season as he beat MSU goalie Drew Palmisano just over half way through the third period.

The Wolverines found themselves with a great opportunity to tie the score when, after pulling their goalie, Spartan Captian Jeff Petry went to the penalty box for hooking. The Wolverines where unable to capitalize on the resulting 47 second 6 on 4 advantage giving the Spartans the win.

While the Wolverines seem to be struggling coming off two home losses to Alaska and now a home loss to MSU the Spartans continue to increase their win total against nationally ranked teams. With only four seniors on the roster the young Spartan team has beaten three teams that are currently ranked in the top twelve including a split series with number one Miami.

The Spartans and Wolverines will face off again tonight in Ann Arbor in the final game of the weekend at 7:05. The game will be televised on Comcast.

LSSU Loses One, Splits One With Western

2009-11-08T07:47:00.000-08:00

Lake Superior State University’s trip to Kalamazoo this weekend could have been worse but could have been a lot better. The Lakers managed a tie in their Friday night contest against the Western Michigan University Broncos but fell 2 – 1 Saturday. After being swept at home the previous weekend by the fourth ranked Wolverines the Lakers headed into Lawson Ice Arena this weekend at 4-4-0 with only one conference win.

EFI FILE PHOTO - Pat Inglis

The Broncos jumped out to an early lead Friday with two first period scores against LSSU goalie Pat Inglis and one against Brian Mahoney-Wilson. Mahoney-Wilson held the Broncos scoreless through the second and third periods giving the Lakers the opportunity to battle back.

Chad Nehring started the Lakers scoring in the second with Zac MacVoy adding number two just after the start of the third. With less than ten seconds left in the game and an extra attacker on the ice LSSU’s Fred Cassiani tied the score at three, which was the final after neither team could best the other in the subsequent overtime. WMU got the conference standings points after scoring in a shoot out.

EFI FILE PHOTO - Brian Mahoney-Wilson

Lakers head coach Jim Roque gave junior goalie Brain Mahoney-Wilson the starting nod for Saturday night. Mahoney-Wilson faced 38 shots giving up goals to the Broncos Ian Slater in the second period and then Patrick Nargorsen in the third. Mid way through the final period LSSU scoring leader Chad Nehring scored his second goal of the weekend and seventh of the season on the Lakers only power play opportunity of the night. It was the only time the Lakers would beat the Broncos starting goaltender Riley Gill. Gill stopped forty of the Lakers forty-one shots giving him and his team the 2 –1 win.

EFI FILE PHOTO - Chad Nehring

The Lakers will head west to battle CCHA foe the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks next weekend.

Michigan Tops LSSU for First Conference Win

2009-10-31T10:11:00.000-07:00

Michigan's Matt Rust (left) wins the opening faceoff from LSSU's Fred Cassiani(right) at the start of the Wolverines Friday night game against the Lakers at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

The #4 ranked Michigan Wolverine ice hockey team lived up to the reputation of their team namesake in their first CCHA conference game against the Lake Superior State Lakers. Using team speed and a tenacious offensive strategy the Wolverines upset the home team Lakers 5 to 1 Friday night in Sault Ste. Marie.

Michigan's Carl Hagelin and Louie Caporusso chase the puck into the offensive zone during the Wolverines Friday night game against the LSSU Lakers at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

The maize and blue applied almost constant pressure on the Lakers defense throughout the first period of play that resulted in three scores. Junior forwards Scooter Vaughan, Carl Hagelin and Louie Caporusso all managed to beat LSSU goalkeeper Brian Mahoney-Wilson during the first twenty minutes of play leaving the junior net minder visibly frustrated.

Michigan junior Matt Rust added another U of M goal in the second period and senior Luke Glendening capped off the Wolverines scoring with his first goal of the year late in the third.

LSSU goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson looks up at the overhead scoreboard after giving up a fifth goal to the visiting Michigan Wolverines Friday at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Wolverine attack put the Lakers back on their heels and other than a couple of short bursts in the third period they never seemed to get back on an even footing. Even with six power play opportunities several passing errors and some moments of confusion in the defensive end stifled the Lakers offense and did little help the their efforts to keep the Wolverines offense out of the net.

Michigan goaltender Bryan Hogan sweeps aside a shot during the Wolverines Friday win over the LSSU Lakers at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

The only LSSU goal came less than three minutes into the third period when Lakers sophomore Brian Cooper scored during a 5 on 3 advantage. The goal was the only of the 25 shots faced by Michigan goalie Bryan Hogan to find the back of the net.

The Lakers and Wolverines will face off again tonight at Taffy Abel Arena at 7:05 p.m.

THE FAN ZONE

LSSU Gets National Poll Vote as They Prepare for U of M

2009-10-28T12:46:00.000-07:00

LSSU goaltender Brian Mahoney-Wilson concentrates on a rolling puck during the third period of the Lakers win over the OSU Buckeyes. (Eagle FI - FILE PHOTO)

Six games into their season and preparing to face the Michigan Wolverines this weekend the Lakers, at 4-2-0 overall, find themselves atop the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) standings and maybe starting to get a little bit of national notice. LSSU received one vote in the latest USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Division I Men's Poll which now ranks four CCHA teams in the top 20 in the nation including the visiting Wolverines at #5.

Lining up the Lakers and Wolverines on paper it’s hard to give either team a clear edge. Based on poll rankings Michigan has had the tougher of the two schedules but LSSU holds a small edge in points scored per game and an advantage in power play conversions. The conversion advantage could become a factor since the Wolverines have been averaging over seventeen minutes in penalties per game compared to the Lakers nine.

The Wolverines, in what will be their first conference game, will roll into Taffy Abel Arena Friday coming off a tough loss to #4 ranked Boston University. This could make the job of proving preseason forecasters wrong about the Lakers potential that much harder. A LSSU win this weekend might make it difficult for poll voters not to include the Lakers in the national top twenty conversations.

Buckeyes Top Lakers and Split Weekend Series

2009-10-25T06:34:00.000-07:00

After dropping their Friday game against Lake Superior State in the Lakers Taffy Abel Arena the Ohio State Buckeyes came back Saturday to claim a 4 – 3 win and split the weekend series at one game apiece.

The Lakers picked up power play goals from junior Chad Nehring and senior Steven Kaunisto along with an even strength score from junior forward Will Acton. Senior Simon Gysbers picked up two assists on the night.

Even though the Lakers gave the Buckeyes several power play opportunities LSSU starting goalie Pat Inglis allowed only one shorthanded goal which was to OSU sophomore Matt Bartkowski during a 5 on 3. The Buckeyes picked up even strength goals from juniors Sergio Somma and Peter Boyd as well as the eventual game winner from junior Patrick Schafer.

The win is the Buckeyes second of the season with their only other victory coming against highly ranked Denver. The loss brings LSSU's record to 4-2-0 overall and 1-1-0 in the conference.

The Lakers will continue their home stand next week against the Michigan Wolverines who are 2-2-0 while the Buckeyes will travel to Notre Dame.

Lakers Claim First Conference Win

2009-10-24T10:18:00.000-07:00

OSU's Peter Boyd brings the puck up ice ahead of LSSU's Domenic Monardo Friday night at Taffy Abel Arena.

With only one win so far this season the fast and physical Ohio State Buckeyes went in to Taffy Abel Arena Friday night and tried unsuccessfully to end the Lake Superior State Lakers winning streak at three. The 3 to 2 victory moves LSSU’s record to 4-1-0 overall and gave the Lakers their fist conference win of the season.

OSU's Sergio Somma (44) and linemate Corey Toy (4) head toward the team bench after scoring the first goal in the Buckeyes Friday night game against the LSSU Lakers at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Buckeyes drew first blood when just 37 seconds into the second period Sergio Somma scored his first goal of the season with assists from Zac Dalpe and Corey Toy. Matt Bartkowski scored unassisted in the final ten second of the same period to close out OSU’s offensive efforts.

OSU goaltender Dustin Carlson (right) prepares to handle an incoming shot while LSSU's Chad Nehring (left) tries to get into position at the top of the crease second period of the Buckeyes 3 -2 loss to the LSSU Lakers at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

After failing to capitalize on a 1:44 five on three chance in the second period when first OSU’s Peter Boyd then Shane Sims went to the box for separate hooking calls LSSU’s Simon Gysbers beat OSU goalie Dustin Carlson just after Boyd had returned to the ice. Gysbers goal, assisted by goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson, evened the score at one a piece.

LSSU goaltender Brian Mahoney-Wilson stretches to make one of his 32 saves during the Lakers win over the OSU Buckeyes Friday night at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

After falling behind 2-1 at the close of the second Laker Steven Kaunisto scored his first of the season to again even the score only twenty seconds into the third. LSSU pressed hard in the offensive end for most of the third and Lakers starting goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson stopped 14 shots on goal during the period to hold the OSU scoring total at two. With just over twenty seconds left in the game LSSU’s Rick Schofield went stick side on Dustin Carlson for the game winner bringing LSSU fans in attendance to their feet.

LSSU's Rick Schofield (right) celebrates with linemates, including Zac MacVoy (27) after scoring the game winning goal Friday night at Taffy Abel Arena.

Laker Zac MacVoy picked up his fourth and fifth assists of the year getting credit on both the Kaunisto and Schofield goals.

OSU's Cory Schneider (center) takes a hard hit from LSSU's Will Acton (right) that pushes him into the back of teamate Brandon Martell (5) during the first period of the Buckeyes Friday night game against the LSSU Lakers at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

The hard fought Firday night match is sure to boost the Lakers confidence and strengthen the Buckeyes resolve headed into tonight’s contest.

VIEW OUR COMPLETE PHOTO COVERAGE AT: http://pa.photoshelter.com/gallery/LSSU-vs-OSU-10-23-09/G0000wBzzYoV2Ngs

LSSU Takes Two From Canisius

2009-10-18T10:27:00.000-07:00

Lake Superiior State University goaltender Brian Mahoney-Wilson watches a rebounding blocked shot go airborne during the third period of the Lakers Saturday night game against the Canisius Griffins.

If score early and better defense where the two things coach Jim Roque told his team prior to the start of Saturday’s game against Buffalo New York’s Canisius University they were listening. Less than five and a half minutes after the opening face-off the Lakers found themselves up by two over the visiting Griffins and junior goaltender Brian Mahoney-Wilson was on his way to recording his first shut out of the year.

Lake Superiior State University's Tyson Hobbins (center) celebrates with line mates Fred Cassiani (13) and Kyle Pobur (6) after scoring in the first period of the Lakers Saturday night game against the Canisius Griffins.

Just four minutes and twenty seconds into the game the Lakers were able to capitalize on an early power play opportunity when junior year forward Will Acton caught Canisius goal tender Dan Morrison out of position for the Lakers first score. Less than a minute later junior Tyson Hobbins found the net during a fight for the puck in the crease putting the Lakers ahead by two.

Starting the second period with one player already in the penalty box the Lakers defense was forced to step to the plate on the power play kill when just thirty five seconds into the period senior Simon Gysbers also went to the box on a boarding call. For seventeen seconds the Griffins had 5 on 3 but could not score either then or on the balance of the Gysbers penalty.

Lake Superiior State University's Zac MacVoy (27) winds up for a shot on Canisius Griffins goaltender (out of frame left) Dan Morrison as teammate Fred Cassiani (13) looks on during the second period of the Lakers Saturday night game against the Griffins.

LSSU got their own chance to take advantage of a 5 on 3 when Canisius senior Peter MacDougall was joined in the penalty box by senior Carl Hudson. Hudson picked up his second major penalty and second game misconduct of the season giving the Lakers almost six minutes of power play opportunity but they were unable to capitalize.

The Lakers finished off their scoring on a Simon Gysbers goal with just over two minutes left in the second period upping the score to what would be the final, 3 – 0.

Canisius Griffins Vince Scarsella (left) fires a shot at Lake Superiior State University goaltender Brian Mahoney-Wilson during third period action of the Lakers/Griffins Saturday night game at Taffy Abel Arena.

Even with the only power play opportunity in the third period Canisius was unable to beat LSSU netkeeper junior Brian Mahoney-Wilson. Mahoney-Wilson fended off nine Griffin shots on goal in the third and racked up first shutout of the season bringing his and the teams record for the year to 3-1-0.

The Lakers now have six days to prepare for their first conference opponent, the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes and Lakers will face off for two games next weekend at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

OUR COMPLETE SET OF IMAGES FROM THIS GAME CAN BE SEEN AT: http://pa.photoshelter.com/gallery/LSSU-vs-Canisius-10-17-09/G0000Uj1PijUGz84

LSSU Takes Home Opener Over Canisius

2009-10-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

LSSU Lakers Ben Power (#22) and Canisius Griffins Chris Barrea (rear) chase a loose puck into the corner during the third period of the Griffins 5-4 loss to Lakers Friday night in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

With the score even at four goals a side in the third period it looked like there was a chance that the fifth meeting of the Lake Superior State Lakers and the Canisius Griffins could have ended regulation play the same as the previous four, tied. That was until almost eight minutes into the period when the Lakers Brad Cooper put in the winning goal giving LSSU a 5-4 home opener win over their non-conference foes Friday night in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Canisius Griffin goalkeeper Dan Morrison (#30) prepares for a shot from a charging LSSU Lakers Will Acton (#21) during the second period of the Griffins 5-4 loss to Lakers Friday night in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

The Lakers came out charging hard in the first period at times looking like they were on a continuous power play keeping the Griffins on their heels and outshooting them 14 to 5. LSSU went into the locker room at the first intermission up by two with goals from Tyson Hobbins and John Scymgeour.

Canisius Griffins Cory Conacher (19) gets congratulated by the Griffins bench after scoring his third goal of the second period against the LSSU Lakers Friday night in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

The Lakers drew first blood less than two minutes into the second when Brad Cooper scored the first of his two goals for the night but the Griffins Cory Conacher and Vince Scarsella took over the scoring from there. Conacher managed to get by Lakers netkeeper Brian Mahoney-Wilson three times in the period with assists from Scarsella on each giving him a hat trick and evening the score at three with just under four minutes left in the period.

LSSU’s Domenic Monardo beat Canisius goal tender Dan Morrison less than a minute into the third and put the Lakers up 4-3. Just over six minutes later the Griffins Ryan Klusendorf scored from between the face off circles to tie the score for the second time of the night. Less than forty five seconds later Brad Cooper scored his second, and the game winner, from just outside the goal crease.

LSSU Lakers goalkeeper Brian Mahoney-Wilson during third period action of the Lakers 5-4 win over the Canisius Griffins Friday night in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

Canisius averaged over nine penalties per game in their first two outings of the year but with only three penalties handed out to Canisius and two to LSSU during the course of the game power plays were not a big factor for either team. Canisius goaltender Dan Morrison faced a total of 38 shots while the Lakers Brian Mahoney-Wilson was challenged only 17 times.

Canisius Griffin Carl Hudson (#2) gets his feet taken out from under him by a sliding LSSU Lakers Zac MacVoy (right) during the closing minutes of the Griffins 5-4 loss to Lakers Friday night in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

The Lakers and Griffins will face off again tonight, Saturday, to complete their two game series at 7:05 p.m. at LSSU’s Taffy Abel Arena.

LSSU Hockey Home Opener

2009-10-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

The Lake Superior State University Lakers will host Buffalo, New York’s Canisius tonight at Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie. One of the highlights of LSSU’s Great Lakes State Weekend the game will be the Laker's 2009/10 season home opener.

The Canisius Griffins have matched up against the Lakers, 1-1 so far this season, just four times in the past and all four meetings have resulted in ties at the end of regulation play. The Griffins, also 1-1, should provide the Lakers with a good challenge and confidence building opportunity. With most of its 08/09 squad returning to the ice this year Canisius has showed enough promise to garner at least one vote in the USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Division I Men's Poll.

After losing three of his four top scorers from last year this weekends non-conference games might be a great chance for Lakers coach Jim Roque to fine tune his offense before facing conference foes Ohio State next weekend.

2009 Top 'O' Michigan Marathon Nationals

2009-08-09T19:49:00.000-07:00

Indian Rivers Jim Powell races through traffic during Sunday action at the 2009 Top 'O' Michigan Marathon Nationals

Photos and Story - Kevin Johnston Eagle Feature & Image.

Looking out onto a very calm Burt Lake from the pit area in Indian River, Michigan’s DeVoe park the casual observer might have thought the 2009 Top ‘O’ Michigan Marathon Nationals boat race was going to be little more than a speedy pleasure cruise. Veteran Top ‘O’ racers like local favorite Jim Powell knew better though.

Prior to the start of Saturdays leg of the Marathon Powell noted southeast wind direction that he knew, even if light by recent Top ‘O’ standards, would make the return across the large Mullet Lake extremely difficult and he was right.

Jim Ladd (D444M) and other DSR drivers race away from the beach at the start of the 2009 Top 'O' Michigan Marathon Nationals

A field of eighty three boats lined up to start the 09 Top ‘O’ but after mechanical breakdowns, wave damaged hulls, at least one tossed Superlight co-pilot and a few runabout drivers who got wet early less than sixty five managed to make the day one finish line. Almost every driver who discussed it agreed that getting into rhythm with the waves was almost impossible. “There was no clean water” said BSR driver Amanda Hagrel.

On Sundays southern run it was Crooked Lakes turn to challenge racers. Very choppy sections of the lake seemed to slow down the normally faster classes keeping the competition tight and grouping almost the entire field into a steady flow of battling boats. Cheering fans that lined the riverbanks yelled and waved to the drivers as they battled their way back through the Crooked River towards Burt Lake.

A great field of more than a dozen ASR drivers turned out to compete for the National Champion title and in the end it was young Top ‘O’ veteran Nick Jenkins beating out Stephen McCourtie and Terry Kerr. ASR class also had the largest number of female competitors including sisters Anne and Lynn Blomberg of Harbor Springs.

Alanson's Gene Greenacre tries to close the gap BSR driver Amanda Hagerl (not pictured) on Sunday.

The BSR class was anyone’s to win. Eventual winner Gene Greenacre took full advantage of the tough weekend had by his top rival’s Chris and Amanda Hagrel finishing first both days to take the title. “All three of us were pretty much side by side up to Dodge Point” on Mullet Lake on Saturday said Greenacre. “Its the closest we’ve ever all been together.” said the now three time marathon winner. With Chris Hagerl unable to finish Saturday and his sister Amanda suffering an engine failure Crooked Lake Sunday Greenacre just needed finish clean to take the win.

Driver Charlie Smith on his way to repeating as 2sSSR Top 'O' National Champion.

After spinning out before even rounding the fist buoy, returning 25SSR Champ Charlie Smith showed no fear of the mighty Top ‘O’ course as he not only finished first in his class both days but led the entire field including 25SSR second and third place finishers Adam Lowe and Robert Austin across the finish line both days as well.

After his long winning streak was ended last year by Canadian driver Kim Park CSR driver Tim Ross topped the largest class in the event to regain his National Champion title. Finishing second behind Park on Saturday Ross jumped into the lead on Sunday and didn’t look back. Park, who suffered engine trouble, finished way back in the pack giving Ross a 2nd and 1st place finishes and the points he needed to reclaim the title. Driver Steve Bolhuis also capitalized on the opportunity to take second place honors and even with problems Park managed a third overall.

DSR driver Josh Pearson makes a Sunday charge up the Crooked River during the 2009 Top 'O' Michigan Marathon Nationals.

Those who follow the Top ‘O’ can tell you that one of the best ongoing marathon rivalries is between DSR drivers Josh Pearson and Nick Ladd. “Nick Ladd gave me a present this year” said Pearson. Ladd failed to finish Saturday after breaking a seam on his boat bottom on Mullet Lake. Ladd had passed Pearson but after building a short five second lead broke down. “I saw him passing me and he looked over and waved at me.” said Pearson. Taking the win on Saturday Pearson was followed to the line by Ladd’s brother Jim. Returning out of Crooked Lake Sunday Jim Ladd was ahead of Pearson and in position to challenge for the title but a great strategic move on Josh’s part got him into the lead and on his way to his fifth overall and first back to back Top ‘O’ Championship with the Ladd brothers rounding off the podium, Jim second and Nick third.

JSR driver JR Broge heads into the Indian River during Saturday racing action at the 2009 Top 'O' Michigan Marathon Nationals.

There are a couple of good things about having only three entrants in your class. First is that you will finish on the podium and if it’s the JSR class it means you will gain some great Top ‘O’ experience. That’s the way it shaped up for this years JSR drivers. JR Broge took the top spot followed by Katie Jewell and William Affholter.

Superlight Bandit class top finishers Mike Green and Sally Johnson topped second place Led and Robert Hallenbeck and third place Charlie Brockway and Bryan Dycoff.

Tracey Phillips (left) and Matt Cupps (right) lead the Outlaw Superlights into the Indian River during the start of the 2009 Top 'O' Michigan Marathon Nationals.

If anyone in boat racing has a target on their back it is Harbor Spring residents Tracey Phillips and Matt Cupps who again win at the Top ‘O’ and continue their dominance of the Superlight Outlaw class. Shane Venier and Tina Honeysette gave it their best shot but had to settle for second just ahead of Mike and Linda Venier who claimed this year’s third place.

X class Superlight driver Scott Honeysette heads into the Indian River for his first time winners swim at the 2009 Top 'O' Michigan Marathon Nationals.

X-class Top ‘O’ racer Brian Lauer looked almost refreshed and well rested at the conclusion of Saturdays racing action but that’s probably because he had turned over the tiller to his long time co-pilot Ken Honeysette’s son Scott Honeysette. The Honeysette team drove the number 38 Superlight to the class win earning Scott his first Superlight title and the traditional first time winners swim in the Indian River. Jeff Howie and Lake Astin took second while Mark Hodorek and Gary Kowalewski finally claim a podium spot in third. It was a tough year, “there was a lot of reading the wind in the rivers this year” said Hoderek after excepting his award.

At race end, other than a few bruises and with some in need of minor hull repairs the 2009 event was injury free. This years marathon “went over real well, I’m real happy with it” said race director Tom Fairbairn. “Looking forward to 2010, if we could get to over a hundred boats I’d be the happiest guy in the world.”. The addition a “Classics” class to this years race drew four entrants who ran a short course that took them up the Indian River out into Mullet Lake and back.

2009 AuSable River Canoe Marathon

2009-07-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

A pitch black night, fog, rain and long runs along a winding river might sound like the setting for a horror film but they were just some of the hurdles Steve Lajoie and Andrew Triebold tackled on their way to winning the 62nd annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon.

Steve Lajoie (front) of Mirabel, Quebec and Andrew Triebold (rear) of Spring Arbor, Michigan paddle through a light rain towards the last of the fourteen portages at the 2009 AuSable River Canoe Marathon.

As last years champions Lajoie, from Mirabel, Quebec and Triebold of Spring Arbor, Michigan completed the grueling 120 mile AuSable River course in just under fourteen hours and twenty minutes to successfully defend their title. Second place finishers Steve Corlew of Brighton, Michigan and Matt Streib of Bristol, Indiana finished eleven and a half minutes behind the leaders and less than six minute ahead of third place Matthew Ashton and Mo Harwood both of Grayling.

Large crowds of spectators look on as Steve Corlew (left) starts his jump into the AuSable River ahead of his partner Matt Streib (center) and Canoe number 81's Tony Short (right) at the start of the 2009 AuSable River Canoe Marathon.

More than a thousand fans cheered wildly at the end of the ¼ mile foot race to the river entry point as Corlew and Streib in the number 89 boat entered the river just steps behind Lajoie and Triebold’s number 01 canoe but by the first check point at Burtons Landing the 01 held a one minute, forty one second lead. Corlew and Streib manged to keep with in seven minutes of the lead closing to it to just four minutes at the number ten, Alcona Damn checkpoint but as the sun came up the leaders picked up their pace opening and maintaining the lead at more than ten minutes by the time they reached checkpoint number 12 at Five Channels Damn.

Stern paddler Erich Podjaske (right) smiles as his partner Spencer Derenzy flops backwards onto their canoe after crossing the finish line.

Seventy five of the record ninety teams that started the race in Grayling Saturday night managed to make the finish line in Oscoda on Sunday including the team of the oldest participant in the marathon 84 year old Al Widing Jr. who crossed the line in 45th.

Connie Cannon of East Lansing (rear) and her partner Bruce Barton of Homer, Michigan steer their boat toward the races landing area.

The first woman competitor to finish was Connie Cannon of East Lansing who, along with partner Bruce Barton of Homer, Michigan finished 13th.

See Our Complete Photo Gallery at http://pa.photoshelter.com/gallery/2009-AuSable-River-Canoe-Marathon/G0000tZGOIO.BZp8

T.C. Pro Scott Hebert Wins 2009 Michigan PGA Tournament of Champions

2009-07-24T14:30:00.000-07:00

Grand Traverse Resort professional Scott Hebert tees off on the par 4, 14th hole of Boyne Mountains Alpine Course during final round play at the 2009 Michigan PGA Tournament of Champions.

EAGLE FI - Grand Traverse Resort professional Scott Hebert played the full 54 holes of the 2009 Michigan PGA Tournament of Champions at Boyne Mountain but didn’t officially win until he beat Grosse Ile amateur Steven Cuzzort on the third sudden death playoff hole. Hebert started the final round in sole possession of fourth place 3 shots behind day two leader, Cuzzort’s brother Jeffery, but his rain interrupted four under 68 was enough to force the playoff.

Playing the first sudden death playoff hole,Grosse Ile amateur Steven Cuzzort hits his second shot on the par 5, 18th hole of Boyne Mountains Alpine course during the 2009 Michigan PGA Tournament of Champions.

Steven Cuzzort was all business during regulation play on the Alpine course shooting a three under 69 to overtake brother Jeffery and Ann Arbor professional Susan Green-Roebuck. Herbert's experience appeared to be a factor during the playoff though. His drives on the first two playoff holes found the center of the fairway while Cuzzort’s first on 18 then again on 16, found the rough. Cuzzort managed to match Hebert’s pars on both holes to send the playoff to the par three 17th where his tee shot went long just off the back left of the green. Hebert hit the center of the green and two putted to break the tie after Cuzzort’s chip onto the green led to a bogie.

After numerous second place finishes this is the 40 year old Hebert’s first Tournament of Champions win. “I can’t believe I finally won one” said Hebert, a three time Michigan PGA champion, five time Michigan Open winner and 2008 National Club Professional champion. He is scheduled to play in the upcoming Buick Open and PGA Championship.

2009 Michigan PGA Tournament of Champions winner Scott Hebert (right) holds the champions trophy along with Boyne Resorts Director of Eastern Operations Stephen Kircher (left).

58 year old amateur Bill Zylstra of Westland claimed third place while Ann Arbors Susan Green-Roebuck finished tied for 11th to capture top female honors.

View our complete set of final round images at http://pa.photoshelter.com/gallery/Final-Round-2009-Tournament-of-Champions/G0000gPwggwrJ7Z4