After a weekend away from conference play, the Falcons return to Central Collegiate Hockey Association play this weekend with a series against Lake Superior.
The Falcons (6-10, 2-8 CCHA) are coming off a weekend holiday tournament where they went 1-1, defeating Alabama-Huntsville 5-1 and losing to RPI 3-2 in overtime.
Jordan Samuels-Thomas had two goals and an assist and was named to the all-tournament team, and Brett Mohler had four assists, which earned him CCHA rookie of the week.
“[Samuels-Thomas and Mohler] made big time plays for us,” coach Chris Bergeron said after Friday night’s victory.
The Lakers (5-9-2, 3-6-1 CCHA) are riding a four-game losing streak, and sit eighth in the CCHA standings with 10 points.
“I feel that they are one of the more underrated teams in the conference,” Bergeron said. “They will go nose-to-nose with anyone from a physical and competition standpoint; we have to be ready to compete.”
All-time, BG is 71-64-8 against the Lakers. However, Lake Superior has held a recent advantage, going 11-3-1 its last 15 meetings with BG, including winning three straight.
Offensively, they are led by sophomore Domenic Monardo and senior Rick Schofield, who have 15 and 13 points on the season, respectively, in 16 games played.
“Schofield might be one of the more underrated players in our league; he’s a big power forward who can run you over or beat you one-on-one,” Bergeron said.
For the Falcons, they have struggled in conference games this season, with only two of their six wins coming against CCHA teams.
With exception to Samuels-Thomas (eight points in nine games), Cam Wojtala (seven points in 10 games) and Nick Eno (2.83 goals-against average, .903 save percent in five games) all BG players have posted worse numbers in conference games.
Andrew Hammond has been victimized most in conference games, having given up 22 goals and posting an 0-5 record in five CCHA starts.
Conversely, in three non-conference starts he has given up five goals and has a 2-1 record.
Both games this weekend will begin at 7:05 p.m. in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
