Lakers on the ropes after overtime loss

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI -– It was eerily similar to the opening game of last year's playoffs when the Lake Superior State Lakers dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the Western Michigan Broncos.

After outplaying the Ferris State Bulldogs for the better part of three periods on Friday night, the Lakers came out on the short end of a 4-3 overtime decision at Taffy Abel Arena.

The loss puts the Lakers one game down in the best-of-three opening round playoff series.

Senior forward Mark Bomersback scored his third goal of the night at 12:29 of the first overtime period to give the Bulldogs the victory by redirecting a Cody Chupp pass past Lakers goaltender Jeff Jakaitis.

The Ferris State line of Chupp, Bomersback and Brendan Connolly combined for eight points in the win and ate up a huge amount of ice time late into the game and in overtime.

"We didn't put them away," said Lakers coach Jim Roque. "In overtime we were playing not to lose. I'd rather lose by being aggressive. We sat back. I though we stood around and were sitting back. We were just too passive in overtime."

Lakers forward Jeff Rainville agrees.

"It felt like we were too laid back," he said. "There's a little more added pressure for us with them being the road team."

The Bulldogs also received a quality goaltending performance from Mitch O'Keefe who stopped 33 shots in the victory. The 33-save performance included a number of quality saves through the first two periods keeping the game close enough to allow Ferris State to battle back from two one-goal deficits.

"Your goalie has to play well in the playoffs," said Roque. "(O'Keefe) plays well against us. We knew going in it was going to be tough."

Bomersback opened the scoring just over three minutes into the game and his second goal of the night came in the opening minute of the second period. Aaron Lewicki also scored for Ferris State.

Trent Campbell, Simon Gysbers and Derek A. Smith scored for the Lakers while Rainville chipped in with a pair of assists in the loss. Jakaitis stopped 30 shots in the game, including 13 in overtime.

Game two of the best-of-three series is set for Saturday night at 7:05 at Taffy Abel Arena. Game three, if necessary, will also be a 7:05 start at Taffy Abel on Sunday.

*** AROUND THE CCHA:

In other Central Collegiate Hockey Association playoff action on Friday:

AT KALAMAZOO, MI – Lucas Burnett scored at 4:02 of overtime to give the University of Alaska (Fairbanks) Nanooks a 3-2 victory over Western Michigan. The game marked Western's first home playoff game in five years. Ryan Muspratt and Darcy Campbell also scored for Alaska while Paul Szczechura and Mark Letesti scored for Western.

AT OMAHA, NEB – Mick Lawrence scored in overtime to give University of Nebraska-Omaha a 3-2 victory over Bowling Green. Lawrence had a pair of goals in the win while Dan Charleston also scored. Derek Whitmore and James Unger scored for Bowling Green. Bowling Green goaltender jimmy Spratt stopped 38 shots in the loss.

AT COLUMBUS, OHIO – Sean Collins led the way with a goal and two assists as the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Northern Michigan Wildcats 6-2. Johann Kroll added a pair of assists in the win.