The postgame comments from the coaches were the same, minus the fact that they were coming from the opposite coach.
The Lake Superior State Lakers picked up a 4-1 win over the Bowling Green Falcons in CCHA action on Saturday night, just 24 hours after a disappointing effort saw them drop a 1-0 decision.
The effort in Saturday night’s win was in stark contrast to the Lakers effort Friday night, while Bowling Green relied on goaltender Andrew Hammond in Saturday night’s loss.
“Just in the first period alone, we were moving and skating,” said Lakers coach Jim Roque. “For whatever reason, on Friday night we just didn’t come out with that same urgency. We dictated the whole game. It’s amazing though that for as good as we played, it was still just 2-1 with 10 minutes to go. Last night, (Bowling Green) was probably thinking the same thing.”
Roque was extremely pleased with the way his team battled after Friday’s disappointing effort.
“I’m just really pleased with how we bounced back,” he said. “We played hard and we dictated the play. We just came back with a really good effort, and that was a good sign to see.”
Said Bowling Green coach Chris Bergeron: “I’m definitely disappointed. We had an opportunity tonight to get a sweep on the road, which in our league is very difficult. Hats off to Lake Superior. They came at us very hard. They took it to us basically from start to finish. They got what they deserved, and so did we.
“Lake State was so much hungrier than we were. They got to every loose puck, won every stick battle. Their second effort was great. For most of the game, we were a first-effort team, and obviously that’s not very good for anybody. It wasn’t an X’s and O’s thing from where I was standing, it was a want.”
Junior defenseman Zach Trotman, senior defenseman Kyle Haines and junior forward Domenic Monardo led the offensive attack for the Lakers with a goal and an assist each in the win. Colin Campbell also scored for the Lakers.
Lakers Sophomore goaltender Kevin Kapalka stopped 17 shots in the win.
Roque commented that he feels as though his team hasn’t hit its stride yet. Veterans such as Monardo and Kapalka are scratching the surface of their ability at the college level.
“Domenic played OK, but I think he’s capable of a lot more. He’s not playing as well as he can. I just don’t think we’re clicking on all cylinders yet but I think we’re playing alright. Kevin has been fighting the puck in tight areas, and I know he’s getting upset about it a little bit.”
Freshman defenseman Marcus Perrier scored the lone goal for Bowling Green while junior goaltender Andrew Hammond stopped 33 shots.
“Andrew played well tonight, and if it wasn’t for him, it would have been a five- or 6-0 game vs. a 2-0 game heading into the third period,” said Bergeron.
Said Roque, “When you’re playing against a goalie like Andrew Hammond, you have to get pucks to the net and you’ve got to have traffic. We did a good job and we used our points well. Our defensemen did a great job of just getting the puck through.”
With the victory, the Lakers’ conference record improves to 3-1-0, tops in the CCHA early on in the season. The Lakers overall record sits at 5-1-0. Bowling Green falls to 1-1-0, with an overall record of 4-1-1.
