# 2022–23 Lake Superior State Lakers men's ice hockey season

The 2022–23 Lake Superior State Lakers men's ice hockey season was the 57th season of play for the program, the 50th at the Division I level and the 43rd in the CCHA conference. The Lakers represented Lake Superior State University and were coached by Damon Whitten, in his 9th season.

## Season

With the vast majority of the team returning, there was little reason to think that Lake Superior wouldn't be able to have at least as good a season as they had in 2022. However, from the drop of the puck, nothing seemed to go right for the Lakers. Early on, neither Ethan Langenegger nor Seth Eisele were able to keep the puck out of the goal; Laker Superior averaged nearly 4 goals against per game through their first 8 games. Worse, the offense had dried up. Across the board, players were having a much tougher time getting the puck into the opposing goal. The Lakers scored 36 fewer goals than they had the year before, a full goal less per game. With one of the worse offenses in the nation, the team plummeted to the bottom of the CCHA standings and remained their all season. Lake Superior was at or near the bottom of the national rankings as well, and the team was on pace to post the worst season in program history.
Near the end of January, the defense began to come around. Over their final 7 matches, the Lakers allowed just 2 goals against per game. The offense also saw a modest increase and saw the Lakers go 5–2 in those contests. While they were unable to do anything about their playoff position, the increased level of play did allow the team to avoid posting a historically bad season.
Lake Superior's opponent for the quarterfinals was Minnesota State. While there was some hope that the improved play would carry over into the postseason, the Mavericks made quick work of the Lakers in the first game. While the final score was better in the rematch, MSU controlled the game, outshooting LSSU 18–40 and end a very disappointing season for the Lakers.

## Departures

| Player | Position | Nationality | Cause |
| Dustin Manz | Forward | United States | Transferred to American International |
| Miroslav Mucha | Forward | Slovakia | Graduate transfer to Michigan State |
| Josh Nixon | Forward | Canada | Transferred to Union |
| Jacob Nordqvist | Defenseman | Sweden | Graduate transfer to Quinnipiac |
| Mitchell Oliver | Defenseman | Canada | Graduation (retired) |

## Recruiting

| Player | Position | Nationality | Age | Notes |
| Bryan Huggins | Defenseman | United States | 20 | Grand Rapids, MI |
| Jared Kucharek | Defenseman | United States | 24 | Royal Oak, MI; graduate transfer from Western Michigan |
| Connor Milburn | Forward | Canada | 21 | Kamloops, BC |

## Roster

As of July 30, 2022.

## Standings

2022–23 Central 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 | SW | PTS | GF | GA | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA |
| #12 Minnesota State †* | 26 | 16 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 52 | 83 | 56 | 39 | 25 | 13 | 1 | 126 | 81 |
| #13 Michigan Tech | 26 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 68 | 54 | 39 | 24 | 11 | 4 | 103 | 88 |
| Bowling Green | 26 | 12 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 41 | 89 | 76 | 36 | 15 | 19 | 2 | 114 | 114 |
| Northern Michigan | 26 | 14 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 82 | 77 | 38 | 21 | 17 | 0 | 123 | 103 |
| Bemidji State | 26 | 12 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 39 | 73 | 63 | 36 | 14 | 17 | 5 | 94 | 97 |
| Ferris State | 26 | 9 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 34 | 62 | 91 | 37 | 14 | 19 | 4 | 92 | 131 |
| St. Thomas | 26 | 10 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 32 | 69 | 81 | 36 | 11 | 23 | 2 | 86 | 117 |
| Lake Superior State | 26 | 8 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 52 | 80 | 36 | 9 | 25 | 2 | 71 | 118 |
| Championship: March 18, 2023 † indicates conference regular season champion (MacNaughton Cup) * indicates conference tournament champion (Mason Cup) Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll ||||||||||||||||||

## Schedule and results

| Date | Time | Opponent$^#$ | Site | TV | Decision | Result | Attendance | Record |
| Exhibition ||||||||||
| October 1 | 2:07 PM | at #20 Michigan Tech* | MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, Michigan (Exhibition) | | Langenegger | L 2–5 | 2,470 | |
| October 2 | 2:00 PM | Nipissing* | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (Exhibition) | | Langenegger | W 6–1 | 756 | |
| October 7 | 7:00 PM | at USNTDP* | USA Hockey Arena • Plymouth, Michigan (Exhibition) | | Langenegger | L 2–5 | 1,125 | |
| Regular Season ||||||||||
| October 14 | 7:07 PM | Omaha* | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Langenegger | L 1–3 | 1,654 | 0–1–0 |
| October 15 | 6:07 PM | Omaha* | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Langenegger | T 4–4 $^{OT}$ | 1,444 | 0–1–1 |
| October 21 | 7:07 PM | #5 Michigan* | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Langenegger | L 2–5 | 3,151 | 0–2–1 |
| October 22 | 7:07 PM | #5 Michigan* | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Eisele | L 1–5 | 3,422 | 0–3–1 |
| October 28 | 7:07 PM | Clarkson* | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Eisele | L 3–4 $^{OT}$ | 1,064 | 0–4–1 |
| October 29 | 6:07 PM | Clarkson* | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Langenegger | W 5–1 | 1,058 | 1–4–1 |
| November 4 | 7:07 PM | Northern Michigan | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Eisele | L 1–4 | 1,958 | 1–5–1 (0–1–0) |
| November 5 | 6:07 PM | Northern Michigan | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Langenegger | L 3–5 | 1,978 | 1–6–1 (0–2–0) |
| November 11 | 7:07 PM | at Michigan Tech | MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, Michigan | FloHockey | Langenegger | T 2–2 $^{SOW}$ | 3,024 | 1–6–2 (0–2–1) |
| November 11 | 6:07 PM | at Michigan Tech | MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, Michigan | FloHockey | Langenegger | L 0–2 | 2,996 | 1–7–2 (0–3–1) |
| November 25 | 8:07 PM | at St. Thomas | St. Thomas Ice Arena • Mendota Heights, Minnesota | FloHockey | Eisele | L 0–4 | 646 | 1–8–2 (0–4–1) |
| November 26 | 7:07 PM | at St. Thomas | St. Thomas Ice Arena • Mendota Heights, Minnesota | FloHockey | Langenegger | L 1–2 | 568 | 1–9–2 (0–5–1) |
| December 2 | 7:07 PM | Bowling Green | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Langenegger | L 4–7 | 987 | 1–10–2 (0–6–1) |
| December 3 | 6:07 PM | Bowling Green | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Hesse | L 1–5 | 876 | 1–11–2 (0–7–1) |
| December 9 | 8:07 PM | at Bemidji State | Sanford Center • Bemidji, Minnesota | FloHockey | Langenegger | W 3–2 $^{OT}$ | 1,334 | 2–11–2 (1–7–1) |
| December 10 | 7:07 PM | at Bemidji State | Sanford Center • Bemidji, Minnesota | FloHockey | Langenegger | L 1–4 | 1,286 | 2–12–2 (1–8–1) |
| December 16 | 7:07 PM | #17 Michigan Tech | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Langenegger | W 3–0 | 713 | 3–12–2 (2–8–1) |
| December 17 | 6:07 PM | #17 Michigan Tech | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Langenegger | L 1–5 | 759 | 3–13–2 (2–9–1) |
| Holiday Face–Off ||||||||||
| December 28 | 8:30 PM | vs. Wisconsin* | Fiserv Forum • Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Holiday Face–Off Semifinal) | BSW+ | Langenegger | L 0–4 | 6,533 | 3–14–2 |
| December 29 | 5:00 PM | vs. #15 Massachusetts* | Fiserv Forum • Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Holiday Face–Off Consolation) | BSW+ | Eisele | L 1–4 | - | 3–15–2 |
| January 6 | 7:07 PM | at Bowling Green | Slater Family Ice Arena • Bowling Green, Ohio | FloHockey | Langenegger | L 2–5 | 2,371 | 3–16–2 (2–10–1) |
| January 7 | 7:07 PM | at Bowling Green | Slater Family Ice Arena • Bowling Green, Ohio | FloHockey | Langenegger | L 3–5 | 2,339 | 3–17–2 (2–11–1) |
| January 13 | 7:07 PM | Ferris State | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Eisele | L 0–4 | 1,669 | 3–18–2 (2–12–1) |
| January 14 | 6:07 PM | Ferris State | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Langenegger | W 4–1 | 1,213 | 4–18–2 (3–12–1) |
| January 20 | 8:07 PM | at #17 Minnesota State | Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota | KEYC | Langenegger | L 2–3 $^{OT}$ | 4,638 | 4–19–2 (3–13–1) |
| January 21 | 7:07 PM | at #17 Minnesota State | Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota | KEYC | Langenegger | L 1–3 | 4,913 | 4–20–2 (3–14–1) |
| January 27 | 7:07 PM | Bemidji State | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Langenegger | L 2–3 | 2,356 | 4–21–2 (3–15–1) |
| January 28 | 6:07 PM | Bemidji State | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Eisele | W 3–2 | 1,478 | 5–21–2 (4–15–1) |
| February 3 | 6:37 PM | at Northern Michigan | Berry Events Center • Marquette, Michigan | FloHockey | Eisele | W 4–2 | 2,365 | 6–21–2 (5–15–1) |
| February 4 | 6:37 PM | at Northern Michigan | Berry Events Center • Marquette, Michigan | FloHockey | Eisele | L 1–3 | 2,738 | 6–22–2 (5–16–1) |
| February 17 | 7:07 PM | St. Thomas | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Langenegger | W 2–1 | 1,150 | 7–22–2 (6–16–1) |
| February 18 | 6:07 PM | St. Thomas | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Eisele | L 1–2 | 1,763 | 7–23–2 (6–17–1) |
| February 24 | 7:07 PM | at Ferris State | Ewigleben Arena • Big Rapids, Michigan | FloHockey | Langenegger | W 3–2 $^{OT}$ | 1,904 | 8–23–2 (7–17–1) |
| February 25 | 5:07 PM | at Ferris State | Ewigleben Arena • Big Rapids, Michigan | FloHockey | Eisele | W 4–2 | 2,398 | 9–23–2 (8–17–1) |
| CCHA Tournament ||||||||||
| March 3 | 8:07 PM | at #13 Minnesota State* | Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota (Quarterfinal Game 1) | FloHockey | Langenegger | L 1–6 | 3,604 | 9–24–2 |
| March 4 | 7:07 PM | at #13 Minnesota State* | Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota (Quarterfinal Game 2) | FloHockey | Eisele | L 1–2 | 3,798 | 9–25–2 |
| *Non-conference game. $^#$Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time. Source: ||||||||||

## Scoring statistics

| Name | Position | Games | Goals | Assists | Points | PIM |
| Louis Boudon | C | 36 | 10 | 14 | 24 | 18 |
| Jacob Bengtsson | D | 36 | 1 | 22 | 23 | 26 |
| Dawson Tritt | F | 35 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 4 |
| Brandon Puricelli | RW | 32 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 14 |
| Harrison Roy | F | 31 | 12 | 4 | 16 | 10 |
| Timo Bakos | F | 33 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 2 |
| Jared Westcott | F | 32 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 32 |
| Jake Willets | D | 33 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 8 |
| Jack Jeffers | F | 33 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 25 |
| Jared Kucharek | D | 35 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 19 |
| Logan Jenuwine | F | 17 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Benito Posa | F | 27 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 37 |
| Connor Millburn | F | 34 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 14 |
| Tyler Williams | C | 20 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Jordan Venegoni | F | 28 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 18 |
| Brett Roloson | F | 30 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Grant Hindman | D | 34 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 18 |
| Bryan Huggins | D | 34 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Cole Craft | RW | 17 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Artyom Borshyov | D | 33 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 |
| Jeremy Gervais | D | 17 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| Ethan Langenegger | G | 25 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Joshua Wildauer | F | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Arvid Henrikson | D | 31 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 36 |
| Sebastian Miedema | D | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Seth Eisele | G | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Easton Hesse | G | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | | | 71 | 120 | 191 | 361 |

## Goaltending statistics

| Name | Games | Minutes | Wins | Losses | Ties | Goals Against | Saves | Shut Outs | SV % | GAA |
| Seth Eisele | 17 | 753:59 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 36 | 376 | 0 | .913 | 2.86 |
| Ethan Langenegger | 27 | 1318:30 | 6 | 15 | 2 | 65 | 654 | 1 | .910 | 2.96 |
| Easton Hesse | 8 | 79:17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 42 | 0 | .857 | 5.30 |
| Empty Net | - | 27:10 | - | - | - | 10 | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 36 | 2178:56 | 9 | 25 | 2 | 118 | 1073 | 1 | .901 | 3.25 |

## Rankings

| Poll | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | 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 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 (Final) |
| USCHO.com | NR | - | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | - | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | - | NR |
| USA Today | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Note: USCHO did not release a poll in weeks 1, 13, or 26.

## Awards and honors

| Player | Award | Ref |
| Louis Boudon | CCHA Second Team | |