Laker shakers


By
December 31, 2014

Lake Superior State University Lakers — and in particular, two of their freshmen — will skate into 2015 on a hockey high.

The Lakers closed out the 2014 portion of their schedule earlier this week by winning both games to take home the Florida College Hockey Classic championship.

After battling Cornell University Big Red to a 0-0 regulation/overtime tie and winning in the shootout, the Lakers advanced to the title tilt against Notre Dame and stunned the favoured Fighting Irish by a 2-1 margin.

For their efforts in Florida, a pair of LSSU freshmen were honoured by the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Goalie Gordon Defiel was voted Defensive Player of the Week and defenceman Aidan Wright was named Rookie of the Week by the WCHA.

Defiel earned the Shawn Walsh Memorial Trophy as Most Valuable Player of the Florida tournament by stopping 67 of the 68 shots that he faced against Cornell and Notre Dame.

Wright, meanwhile, helped anchor the top defensive unit for a Laker team that allowed just one goal over the two games.

Wright — who played with the erstwhile Soo North Stars of the Great North Midget Hockey League before advancing to the Ontario Jr. Hockey League and then the British Columbia Hockey League — blocked 10 shots during the Florida tournament while averaging more than 26 minutes of ice time per outing.

UP NEXT

The Lakers, who have a record of 3-11 within the WCHA, head to Minnesota State-Mankato for games on January 9-10.

Next home games for the Lakers are January 16-17 when they play host to Bemidji State at Taffy Abel Arena.


What you think about “Laker shakers”

  1. Good to see the young defense and goaltending coming around and playing well. That’s probably what’s going to have to win games for the Lakers this season. Offense isn’t there, so they’re going to have to play well defensively to give themselves a shot at winning games.

  2. Things appear to be looking up for the Lakers altho I say that Coach Whitten needs to get more offence from Globke and Miller or bring in guys to replace these 2 and move forward.

  3. What a great way to finish the year, Good job and yes the Lakers have little in the way of offense, but if they can find a sniper or two for next season and with the defense battle hardened they could make strides. Coach Whitten is undaunted and remains upbeat even after stretches of losses. They will have their hands full in Mankato, but at least they know what the Mavericks bring to the rink.

  4. Great 1 to 0 win last night for the Lakers over Bemidji State with Alex Globke scoring with just 1 second left in the game. Gordon Defiel with the shutout.

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