Laker freshmen star in OT setback
The good news is that a trio from what is an outstanding freshman class stood out for the Lake Superior State University Lakers on Saturday night.
The bad news is that the Lakers dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to Arizona State and lost both games to the Sun Devils by the same score in non-conference weekend action at Taffy Abel Arena.
The pair of setbacks dropped the Lakers overall record this 2015-2016 season to 2-8-2. The Lakers have an 0-2-2 mark within the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and play a pair of games at Bemidji State next weekend.
At any rate, as the Lakers fell in OT to Arizona State on Saturday, three freshmen fashioned high-end outings in front of 1,977 fans.
Forwards Diego Cuglietta and Gage Torrel and defenceman Owen Headrick were among the LSSU skaters who turned in notable performances.
Cuglietta had his first collegiate goal and was relentless on the forecheck and strong on the puck throughout the contest. He now has 4 points on the season.
Torrel picked up an assist when the Lakers tied the game with 52 seconds to play in the third period and prior to that, was a going concern in the offensive zone all game long. Torrel is second on the LSSU scoring chart with 2 goals, 4 assists, 6 points.
And Headrick picked up an assist — he also had a goal in Friday’s 3-2 loss — while creating several other scoring chances with picture-perfect passes. The poise, skill and smarts of Headrick were on display throughout the contest as the youngest Laker quarterbacked the power play and played a regular shift alongside sophomore defence partner James Roll, who is four years older.
Headrick has played in all 12 Laker games thus far this season and is fifth on the team in scoring with 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points.
After a listless first period on Saturday in which most of the excitement came from the voice of public address announcer Tim Ellis, the tempo of the game increased in the second and third stanzas, which were highlighted by several near-misses by both teams and a number of nice saves by both goalies — LSSU freshman Nick Kossoff and Arizona State’s Ryland Pashovitz.
Kossoff made 28 saves — but gave up the game-winner to Jordan Masters with just 32 seconds to play in the overtime frame — while Pashovitz turned aside 34 shots.
Charlie Zuccarini and Ryan Stevens scored the other Arizona State goals while besides Cuglietta, Gus Correale also tallied for the Lakers.
I am a big fan of Owen Headrick from watching him playing for the Soo . So its No suprise to me to see that he is playing so well for Lake Superior because he is such a good Player one of the best D I have seen in the NOJ when he was only 17 Years of age.
Mr. Barbeau our Goalie Coach needs to work with Kossof on challenging the shooter. Kossof stands to deep in the crease IMO. On the 1st goal last nite he was not even ready and he was off balance on the OT winning goal. Poor foot-work in my opinion.
How ever I will say that it was a good Team effort on the part of the boys last night. Thanks to you thank you Randy for all the good articles.
Mitch Hults is having a pretty good season as a Freshman as well.
P.S. Great article by the way. Luv this Website.
To me the difference was that Arizona was stronger on the puck than LSSU and they won more battles along the Boards and in the Corners. The Lakers need work on there strength and not being as strong as Arizona State is what cost the Lakers the game last night. As far as the LSSU Freshman “standing out” in last nites game .. .. I totalley agree. #28 Owen Headrick is the best defense-man on the team and is a treat to watch and I also like the way #25 Anthony Nelles handles hims self out there and also Cugliatta, Nennedal and Torrell with Hults this adds up to a great Freshman Class as pointed out in the Article.
Attention LSSU Lakers Fans:
Coach Whitten has the Lakers on the right path … your Program is in good hands!