The NCAA No. 18 Lakers travel to Thunder Bay from fellow Lake Superior city Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan with the intention of carrying the Varsity Cup to the south shore for the first time. The Lakers are 6-6-2 in CCHA play (10-6-4 overall) and are in third place in the 10-team conference at the halfway mark of the season.
Head Coach Jim Roque said his team is thrilled to take part in the tournament. Obviously were very excited to head up to Thunder Bay and take part in the Varsity Cup Tournament. Here at Lake State, weve had a lot of players from Thunder Bay in the 70s, 80s, and 90s so were thrilled to get to play in front of some of our alumni as well. Weve only heard fantastic things about this tournament so we know the fans are in for some great hockey and were really looking forward to it.
Coach Roque, a native of Sudbury, Ontario, is in his first season with the Lakers and played his university hockey for the Lakers. His squad has been playing well in the first half of the regular season; recording wins over team like Colgate, Western Michigan, Bemidji State, and Notre Dame. They also defeated York early in the preseason in their only game against a CIS opponent this year.
The Lakers open tourney play against host Lakehead on Dec. 28, followed by Calgary on Dec. 29, and St. FX on Dec.30.
The Lakers have returned 22 players from last years team and have added five freshmen. Players to watch are excellent goaltender Jeff Jakaitis (9-6-4, GAA of 2.01, 0.918 SV%), forward Trent Campbell (6 goals, 8 assists), forward Nathan Ward (3 goals, 7 assists), defenseman Kory Scoran and forward Jon Booras (1 goal, 2 assists). Forwards Dominic Osman (6 goals, 2 assists), Colin Nicholson (4 goals, 4 assists) and Dan Eves (4 goals, 3 assists) can put the puck in the net. Defensemen Steve McJannet (4 goals, 5 assists) and Barnabas Birkeland (1 goal, 8 assists) can supply offense from the blue line.
The freshman include four Canadians; forward Troy Schwab (4 goals, 8 assists; Kindersley, Sask.), forward Josh Sim (2 goals, 4 assists; Saskatoon, Sask.), defenseman Matt Wheeler (1 assist; Arcola, Sask.), forward Jason Miller (1 assist; Rocanville, Sask.), as well as star freshman defenseman Marty Gurnoe (1 goal, 6 assists) from Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
The Lakers have won the NCAA Division I national championship three times; 1988, 1992, and 1994. The also won the NAIA national championship in 1972 and 1974. Notable Lake State players who have gone on to the NHL include Doug Weight, Brian Rolston, John Grahame, and Bates Battaglia.
Lake Superior State 05 Results:
Dec. 18: Notre Dame 4 LS 3
Dec. 17: LS 4 Notre Dame 0
Dec. 10: LS 2 Bemidji State 2 (OT)
Dec. 9: LS 2 Bemidji State 1
Dec. 3: LS 3 Alaska-Fairbanks 2
Dec. 2: LS 4 Alaska-Fairbanks 2
Nov. 26: LS 4 Robert Morris 3 (OT)
Nov. 25: LS 3 Robert Morris 0
Nov. 19: Ohio State 4 LS 0
Nov. 18: Ohio State 3 LS 0
Nov. 12: LS 3 Miami of Ohio 2
Nov. 11: Miami of Ohio 3 LS 0
Nov. 5: LS 3 Western Michigan 1
Nov. 4: LS 10 Western Michigan 0
Oct. 29: Northern Michigan 2 LS 1
Oct. 28: Northern Michigan 3 LS 1
Oct. 22: LS 2 Ferris State 2
Oct. 21: LS 4 Ferris State 4
Oct. 15: LS 3 Colgate 2
Oct. 14: LS 3 Colgate 3
Oct. 8: US Under 18 Team LS 3
Oct. 7: LS 5 York 1