SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — Kyle Chatham could have hardly picked a better time for his first goal of the season.
Ferris State had scored two goals in 41 seconds early in the third period, tying the game at three. Then the senior defenseman, who had only four goals in his career, found the back of the net to put the Lakers back on top en route to a 5-3 win over the Bulldogs (10-15-1, 7-10-1 WCHA).
“We started well, getting up 3-0, but then they battled back and we weren’t getting the bounces,” said Chatham. “We showed good character by not slouching too much. I got the puck at the point and the next thing I knew it was in the net.”
Following their fourth straight Friday night shutout, the Lakers (6-16-4, 4-11-3 WCHA) put three first-period goals up on Darren Smith, the goaltender that had shut them out the night before.
Lake Superior opened the scoring with a power-play goal from Gage Torrel that rang off the post and went behind Bulldogs netminder Darren Smith. Two more goals, by the Lakers’ Jake Hand and Anthony Nellis, led to Smith being pulled after one period in favor of Justin Kapelmaster. The two goaltenders have played in a tandem for Bulldogs coach Bob Daniels throughout the season.
The Lakers had a chance to make the score 4-0, as Lakers newcomer Alex Ambrosio was pulled down on a breakaway. Ambrosio was awarded a penalty shot, but could not put the puck behind Kapelmaster.
Ferris State got on the board with a goal from Trevor Recktenwald midway through the second period. Recktenwald’s goal gave Ferris State momentum, and two quick goals early in the final period, from Ryker Killins and Jason Tackett, tied the game up.
“They clawed their way back into it and suddenly you’re looking at 3-3 late in the game,” said Lakers coach Damon Whitten. “It’s a real credit to our team and our leaders. It’s been challenging, but our guys have stuck together, believing in each other and staying positive.”
With about eight minutes remaining, Lake Superior’s Diego Cuglietta took a shot on net that was stopped by Kapelmaster. A rebound scooted off to the left side, where Cuglietta slid the puck back to Chatham on the blue line. He then uncorked a shot through traffic that went over the glove of Kapelmaster, restoring the Lakers’ lead.
“Kyle Chatham isn’t known for his offense necessarily, but he showed great poise at the blue line to change the angle of the puck to wrist that seeing-eye puck in,” said Whitten. “I thought one of the differences in the night was our traffic in front of the net. We did a really good job five-on-five and on the power play to generate chances.”
An empty-netter from Torrel sealed the deal for the Lakers, as they picked up their first league win since December 2, when they defeated Alaska. Kossoff made 20 saves on 23 shots. In the other crease, Smith stopped 8 of 11 before Kapelmaster came in, who made 16 saves on 17 shots.
“I thought Nick went in and did really well. We talked before the game to just go out and compete, and I thought we saw that from him.”
Chatham’s last goal came in a three-on-three overtime session last season against Alaska-Anchorage. Since the goal did not show up on the score sheet, it did not officially count. Now he has an official game-winner on his resume.
“I guess I pick my spots well,” remarked Chatham.
