Laker math: 4-4-4 = 12
Lake Superior State Lakers head into the holiday break tied for sixth place in the 10-team Western Collegiate Hockey Association with 12 points from a record of 4-4-4.
Which is not bad considering that the Lakers were picked to finish last in the WCHA in a pre-season poll.
“It’s not where we want to be, we can be better, but the signs of improvement are definitely there,” said second-year Lakers head coach Damon Whitten.
To be sure, the freshman-sophomore-laden Lakers, who ice the youngest lineup in the WCHA, are a program on the rise under the guidance of Whitten and assistant coaches Rich Metro and Doug Holewa.
With an overall record of 6-10-4 to date, the Lakers will play 18 games after Christmas, 16 of which will be within the WCHA.
The 12 points that Lake Superior State has within the WCHA are just two fewer than fifth-place Northern Michigan — and the Lakers hold two games in hand on the Wildcats.
TOP SCORERS
Sophomore forward J.T. Henke continues to lead the Lakers in scoring with 6 goals, 6 assists, 12 points.
Following Henke are junior forward Gus Correale at 4-5-9, freshman forward Mitch Hults at 4-5-9, freshman forward Gage Torrel at 3-6-9, freshman forward Anthony Nellis at 2-6-8, freshman defenseman Owen Headrick at 3-4-7, junior forward Alex Globke at 4-2-6, freshman forward Diego Cuglietta at 2-4-6 and sophomore defenseman James Roll at 1-5-6.
NET WORTH
Between the pipes, freshman Nick Kossoff has a 2-3-1 record to go with a 1.99 goals against average and .920 save percentage while sophomore Gordon Defiel has 4-7-3, 2.78 and .916 numbers.
3 FOR 20
Only three Lakers have played in all 20 of the team’s games thus far this season — freshmen Owen Headrick and Anthony Nellis and sophomore Aidan Wright.
PHOTO: Sophomore defenseman Aidan Wright is one of only three Lakers to have played in all 20 games so far in 2015-2016. (Photo by Ali Pearson.)
It has been a good 1st half to this season altho the 2nd half sked does look like it will be rather difficult. I have been impressed to say the least with the Coaching and that what has been accompilished so far has been done by use of so many Frosh and Sophs. I do feel as tho glory days are head for the Lakers.
Kossof is coming into his own and as such the goal-tending is not just reliant on Gordy to win games for us. I like the way Kossof stands in there so tall and plays the angles so well. If the Lakers can maintane what they have learnt into the Second Half then I can see them winning 12, 13 games in the W.C.H.A. and being at 500 and maybe even 5TH Place.
The goalie tandem (Kossoff/Defeel) is one of the best one’s that LSSU has had in a # of years.
DEEEEE-AYYYYYYYYYYY-GOOOOOOOO
Diego is my favorite!!!!!!!!!!