SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The NMU hockey team opened the 2024 calendar with game three of the Cappo Cup series, losing by a score of 5-1.

Michael Colella opened the scoring late in the first period with a short-handed breakaway to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead after the opening frame. The Lakers then scored five straight goals in the final two periods, including scoring three times and outshooting the 'Cats 15-2 in the second frame, with 13 different skaters getting on the score sheet.

The Wildcats were outshot 32-24, went 0/2 on the PP, 4/6 on the PK, 26/56 in the faceoff dot, and blocked nine shots to LSSU's three.

The Cappo Cup series is determined by total goals scored; this result tips the scale in favor of LSSU, as the Lakers now lead 12-11 in total goals scored in the series thus far. 

The Wildcats now fall to 7-10-2 overall and 5-6-0 in CCHA play, and the Lakers improve to 10-11-1 overall and 7-6-1 in CCHA play.

Cat Nips

• Michael Colella scored a short-handed tally for his fifth of the season and first point in three games. This was also Colella's second short-handed goal of the season, a mark that is T1 in CCHA play and T3 nationally
• Beni Halasz made 27 saves (.844 SV%)

How It Happened
1st Period
After a relatively uneventful first 13 minutes from the Sault, Colella hopped over the boards on a change to continue killing a Wildcat penalty. There was a miscue from the Laker defense at their own blueline, Colella stole the puck and screamed down on a breakaway, beating Langenegger over the stick-side shoulder to give the 'Cats a 1-0 lead on a shorthanded goal.

The Wildcats had a handful of chances in the final minute, recording three shots in the final 30 seconds and forcing Langenegger to make a few crucial saves to keep his team down only one.

The 'Cats skated to the locker room holding a 1-0 lead, outshooting the Lakers 8-6, and blocking six shots. The 'Cats were unsuccessful on the abbreviated power play, but successfully killed and scored the lone goal of the period while short-handed.

2nd Period
The Lakers jumped out of the gate to start the middle frame and scored before some people got back to their seats, as Batchelder took an outlet pass and broke free down the middle of the ice for a breakaway on Halasz, making a backhand forehand move before sliding it past Halasz.

The Lakers were awarded a power play off a slash from the goal they scored to open the frame, and LSSU took advantage of the opportunity with a 2-on-0 in tight against Halasz, and Piku finished off the play to give the Lakers their first lead of the game. 

The Lakers scored 13 minutes later to make it 3-1, as a Laker blueliner shot a puck from the point that bounced around in front after hitting a Wildcat. Halasz made a save and the rebound floated in front of Westcott who batted the puck out of the air and past Halasz.

The 'Cats skated to the locker room down two goals and down a man and were tasked to kill the remainder of a penalty to start the final frame. The 'Cats were outshot 2-15 and went 2/4 on the PK without receiving a PP opportunity in the middle 20 minutes.

3rd Period
The Lakers opened the period on the power play, and it only took 40 seconds for them to score their fourth straight goal and Roy to score his sixth of the season.

The Lakers scored on a 2-on-1 opportunity to extend the Laker lead to four goals at 5-1 with three minutes left.

The Wildcats outshot the Lakers 14-11 in the third period, but it was the Lakers who scored twice and put the game away.

Up Next
The Cappo Cup finale is back at Taffy Abel tomorrow at 6:07 p.m.