# 2020–21 Lake Superior State Lakers men's ice hockey season

The 2020–21 Lake Superior State Lakers men's ice hockey season was the 55th season of play for the program, the 48th at the Division I level and the 8th in the WCHA conference. The Lakers represented Lake Superior State University and were coached by Damon Whitten, in his 7th season.

## Season

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the entire college ice hockey season was delayed. Because the NCAA had previously announced that all winter sports athletes would retain whatever eligibility they possessed through at least the following year, none of Lake Superior State's players would lose a season of play. However, the NCAA also approved a change in its transfer regulations that would allow players to transfer and play immediately rather than having to sit out a season, as the rules previously required.
After a poor season the year before, Lake Superior saw a great deal of roster turnover. At the start of the season the altered lineup seemed to be performing well; the team lost just once in their first ten games, though the strength of their opposition (or lack thereof) did contribute to their record. Their schedule was part of the reason why the Lakers were ranked 19th when they began conference play and, due to casing the WCHA's top team, they swiftly found themselves outside the top-20. Lake Superior didn't go away, however; the team flirted with the ranking for the remainder of the regular season. The Lakers ended with a much-improved record of 15–6–3, mostly on the strength of senior netminder Mareks Mitens and receiving 170 fewer penalty minutes than the year before (which averaged to about 1 fewer power play against every other game). With both the team's offense and defense playing better than it had in years, the Lakers finished tied for second in the WCHA, the best result for LSSU since 1996.
Even with their record and finish, the Lakers were still ranked outside the top 15 and needed a good performance in the WCHA tournament to get into the conversation. As the second seed, the Lakers began at home against Alabama–Huntsville and dispatched the Chargers fairly easily. In the semifinals, Lake Superior took on Bemidji State with their season on the line and the defense completely shut down the Beavers. Lake State scored the first four goals of the game and Mitens didn't surrender a single goal until 4 minutes remained, even then it only came on a BSU power play with their goalie pulled. The Lakers received a gift by facing 6th-seeded Northern Michigan for the championship. Lake Superior took full advantage by against scoring the first four goals and then coasted to a 6–3 win. it was the program's first conference title since 1995 and the automatic bid allowed the Lakers into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1996.
Lake Superior received a 3-seed and were set opposite Massachusetts. Unfortunately, the Minutemen were the hottest team in the country, not having lost a game since mid-January, and it showed from the very start. UMass was the aggressor, scoring first, and despite a tying goal by Lake State at the end of the first the Lakers looked like they were following the play. UMass broke the game open in the second, outshooting LSSU 18–7 and scoring twice to take the lead. The Lakers picked up their game in the third but the oppressive defense by Massachusetts prevented Lake Superior from denting the twine and two more goals against put the game out of reach. Even with poor finish, this season can't be considered anything but a resounding success for the Lakers.
Niko Esposito-Selivanov sat out the season.

## Departures

| Player | Position | Nationality | Cause |
| Tyler Anderson | Defenseman | Canada | Left program |
| Bryan Basilico | Forward | United States | Graduation |
| Roman Bengert | Goaltender | Japan | Transferred to Prince Edward Island |
| Roberts Bļugers | Defenseman | Latvia | Transferred to Alaska |
| Brayden Gelsinger | Forward | Canada | Graduation (signed with Utah Grizzlies) |
| Owen Guy | Forward | Canada | Left program |
| Max Humitz | Forward | United States | Graduation (signed with Grand Rapids Griffins) |
| Ian Johnston | Forward | Canada | Graduation |
| Brendan McKay | Forward | Canada | Graduation |
| Colin Saccoman | Defenseman | United States | Graduation |
| Alec Semandel | Defenseman | United States | Transferred to New Hampshire |

## Recruiting

| Player | Position | Nationality | Age | Notes |
| Jacob Bengtsson | Forward/Defenseman | Sweden | 21 | Stockholm, SWE |
| Artyom Borshyov | Defenseman | Belarus | 20 | Vitebsk, BLR |
| Spencer DenBeste | Forward | United States | 21 | Sault Ste. Marie, MI |
| Jeremy Gervais | Defenseman | Canada | 21 | Prince George, BC |
| Jack Jeffers | Forward | Canada | 22 | Oakville, ON; transfer from Alabama–Huntsville |
| Ethan Langenegger | Goaltender | Canada | 20 | Kamloops, BC |
| Benito Posa | Forward | United States | 21 | Grand Blanc, MI |
| Brandon Puricelli | Forward | United States | 22 | Ellisville, MO; transfer from Minnesota–Duluth |
| Joshua Wildauer | Forward | United States | 21 | Dearborn Heights, MI |
| Tyler Williams | Forward | United States | 21 | South Lyon, MI |

## Roster

As of October 14, 2020.

## Standings

2020–21 Western Collegiate Hockey Association Standingsvte :
| | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record |
| | GP | W | L | T | OTW | OTL | 3/SW | PTS | GF | GA | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA |
| #4 Minnesota State † | 14 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 56 | 15 | 27 | 22 | 5 | 1 | 100 | 46 |
| #14 Lake Superior State * | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 27 | 39 | 34 | 29 | 19 | 7 | 3 | 86 | 63 |
| #18 Bowling Green | 14 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 27 | 46 | 34 | 31 | 20 | 10 | 1 | 108 | 67 |
| #10 Bemidji State | 14 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 42 | 34 | 29 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 82 | 70 |
| Michigan Tech | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 38 | 35 | 30 | 17 | 12 | 1 | 78 | 63 |
| Northern Michigan | 14 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 40 | 47 | 29 | 11 | 17 | 1 | 79 | 103 |
| Alabama–Huntsville | 14 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 18 | 49 | 22 | 3 | 18 | 1 | 31 | 80 |
| Ferris State | 14 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 28 | 59 | 25 | 1 | 23 | 1 | 55 | 103 |
| Alaska | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Alaska Anchorage | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Championship: March 20, 2021 † indicates conference regular season champion * indicates conference tournament champion Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll ||||||||||||||||||

## Schedule and results

| Date | Time | Opponent$^#$ | Rank$^#$ | Site | TV | Decision | Result | Attendance | Record |
| Regular season ||||||||||
| November 21 | 4:54 PM | vs. Michigan Tech* | | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | | Mitens | T 0–0 $^{SOW}$ | 8 | 0–0–1 |
| November 22 | 3:07 PM | vs. Michigan Tech* | | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | | Eisele | W 4–1 | 0 | 1–0–1 |
| November 27 | 7:07 PM | vs. Adrian* | | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | | Mitens | W 5–3 | 0 | 2–0–1 |
| November 29 | 2:05 PM | at Adrian* | | Arrington Ice Arena • Adrian, Michigan | | Mitens | W 2–1 | 0 | 3–0–1 |
| December 5 | 5:07 PM | vs. Alabama–Huntsville* | | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | | Mitens | T 2–2 $^{SOW}$ | 0 | 3–0–2 |
| December 6 | 3:07 PM | vs. Alabama–Huntsville* | | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | | Langenegger | W 3–2 | 0 | 4–0–2 |
| January 2 | 5:00 PM | vs. Bemidji State* | #19 | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | | Mitens | L 1–4 | 0 | 4–1–2 |
| January 3 | 3:00 PM | vs. Bemidji State* | #19 | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | | Mitens | T 2–2 $^{SOW}$ | 0 | 4–1–3 |
| January 8 | 7:07 PM | at Northern Michigan* | | Berry Events Center • Marquette, Michigan | | Mitens | W 4–1 | 0 | 5–1–3 |
| January 9 | 6:07 PM | at Northern Michigan* | | Berry Events Center • Marquette, Michigan | | Mitens | W 3–2 $^{OT}$ | 0 | 6–1–3 |
| January 15 | 7:07 PM | vs. #5 Minnesota State | #19 | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey.tv | Mitens | L 0–3 | 0 | 6–2–3 (0–1–0) |
| January 15 | 7:07 PM | vs. #5 Minnesota State | #19 | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey.tv | Mitens | L 2–6 | 0 | 6–3–3 (0–2–0) |
| February 6 | 5:00 PM | vs. Northern Michigan | | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey.tv | Eisele | W 5–4 $^{OT}$ | 0 | 7–3–3 (1–2–0) |
| February 7 | 3:00 PM | vs. Northern Michigan | | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey.tv | Langenegger | L 3–4 $^{OT}$ | 0 | 7–4–3 (1–3–0) |
| February 12 | 7:07 PM | at #12 Bowling Green | | Slater Family Ice Arena • Bowling Green, Ohio | FloHockey.tv | Mitens | W 2–1 $^{OT}$ | 300 | 8–4–3 (2–3–0) |
| February 13 | 7:07 PM | at #12 Bowling Green | | Slater Family Ice Arena • Bowling Green, Ohio | FloHockey.tv | Mitens | W 5–2 | 300 | 9–4–3 (3–3–0) |
| February 16 | 7:07 PM | at #18 Michigan Tech | #20 | MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, Michigan | FloHockey.tv | Mitens | W 3–1 | 300 | 10–4–3 (4–3–0) |
| February 19 | 7:00 PM | vs. Alabama–Huntsville | #20 | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey.tv | Mitens | W 2–1 | 0 | 11–4–3 (5–3–0) |
| February 20 | 5:00 PM | vs. Alabama–Huntsville | #20 | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey.tv | Langenegger | W 4–1 | 0 | 12–4–3 (6–3–0) |
| February 23 | 2:07 PM | at #20 Michigan Tech | #18 | MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, Michigan | FloHockey.tv | Mitens | L 1–4 | 300 | 12–5–3 (6–4–0) |
| February 26 | 7:07 PM | at Ferris State | #18 | Ewigleben Arena • Big Rapids, Michigan | FloHockey.tv | Mitens | W 4–2 | 250 | 13–5–3 (7–4–0) |
| March 2 | 7:07 PM | at #17 Bemidji State | #20 | Sanford Center • Bemidji, Minnesota | FloHockey.tv | Mitens | L 1–2 $^{OT}$ | 250 | 13–6–3 (7–5–0) |
| March 3 | 5:07 PM | at #17 Bemidji State | #20 | Sanford Center • Bemidji, Minnesota | FloHockey.tv | Mitens | W 5–2 | 250 | 14–6–3 (8–5–0) |
| March 6 | 3:07 PM | at Ferris State | #20 | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey.tv | Mitens | W 2–1 | 0 | 15–6–3 (9–5–0) |
| WCHA Tournament ||||||||||
| March 12 | 7:07 PM | vs. Alabama–Huntsville* | #18 | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (WCHA quarterfinals Game 1) | | Mitens | W 6–1 | 0 | 16–6–3 |
| March 13 | 5:07 PM | vs. Alabama–Huntsville* | #18 | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (WCHA quarterfinals Game 2) | | Eisele | W 4–1 | 0 | 17–6–3 |
| Lake Superior State Won Series 2–0 ||||||||||
| March 19 | 8:37 PM | vs. #13 Bemidji State* | #17 | Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota (WCHA Semifinal) | | Mitens | W 4–1 | 250 | 18–6–3 |
| March 20 | 8:07 PM | vs. Northern Michigan* | #17 | Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota (WCHA Championship) | | Mitens | W 6–3 | 250 | 19–6–3 |
| NCAA Tournament ||||||||||
| March 26 | 6:30 PM | vs. #6 Massachusetts* | #13 | Webster Bank Arena • Bridgeport, Connecticut (NCAA East Regional semifinal) | ESPNU | Beydoun | L 1–5 | 100 | 19–7–3 |
| *Non-conference game. $^#$Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time. ||||||||||

## Scoring statistics

| Name | Position | Games | Goals | Assists | Points | PIM |
| Ashton Calder | F | 29 | 16 | 13 | 29 | 20 |
| Pete Veillette | C | 29 | 13 | 14 | 27 | 4 |
| Louis Boudon | C | 27 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 14 |
| Hampus Eriksson | C/W | 27 | 6 | 13 | 19 | 16 |
| Will Riedell | D | 29 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 18 |
| Brandon Puricelli | RW | 28 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 37 |
| Jacob Nordqvist | D | 29 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 10 |
| Lukas Kälble | D | 27 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| Miroslav Mucha | RW | 29 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 4 |
| Yuki Miura | C | 29 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 4 |
| Mitchell Oliver | D | 25 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 8 |
| Benito Posa | F | 20 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 28 |
| Jack Jeffers | F | 28 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 23 |
| Jacob Bengtsson | C/D | 38 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 26 |
| Dustin Manz | C | 29 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 10 |
| Chase Gamelin | F | 29 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| Alexandro Ambrosio | F | 29 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 14 |
| Jeremy Gervais | D | 16 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Seth Eisele | G | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Joshua Wildauer | C | 13 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Mareks Mitens | G | 25 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Arvid Henrikson | D | 29 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 27 |
| Spencer DenBeste | F | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Michael Mannara | D | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tyler Williams | C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Ethan Langenegger | G | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Artyom Borshyov | D | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Bench | - | - | - | - | - | 18 |
| Total | | | 86 | 152 | 238 | 309 |

## Goaltending statistics

| Name | Games | Minutes | Wins | Losses | Ties | Goals Against | Saves | Shut Outs | SV % | GAA |
| Mareks Mitens | 25 | 1380 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 45 | 602 | 1 | .930 | 1.96 |
| Seth Eisele | 4 | 165 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 62 | 0 | .912 | 2.18 |
| Ethan Langenegger | 6 | 211 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 77 | 0 | .906 | 2.27 |
| Empty Net | - | 8 | - | - | - | 4 | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 29 | 1765 | 19 | 7 | 3 | 63 | 741 | 1 | .922 | 2.14 |

## Rankings

| Poll | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 (Final) |
| USCHO.com | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | 20 | 19 | NR | 19 | NR | NR | NR | NR | 20 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 13 | - | 14 |
| USA Today | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | 13 | 13 | 13 |
USCHO did not release a poll in week 20.

## Awards and honors

| Player | Award |
| Ashton Calder | WCHA Most Outstanding Player in Tournament |
| Mareks Mitens | WCHA Second Team |
| Will Riedell | WCHA Second Team |
| Ashton Calder | WCHA Second Team |
| Pete Veillette | WCHA Third Team |