Lake Forest Climbs NCHA Standings with Weekend Sweep
Foresters defeat Eau Claire and Stevens Point at home

Tyler Steen had two assists Friday and a goal Saturday.

Lake Forest sophomore Tyler Canal (Thunder Bay, ON/Stratford Cullitons) started the scoring on Friday just 24 seconds into the contest. Sophomore Matt Forsyth (Calgary, AB/Calgary Royals) and junior Tyler Steen (Calgary, AB/Calgary Royals) assisted the opening period’s only goal.

Canal converted a power play opportunity with his team-high 10th goal of the year at the 10:47 mark of the second period off assists from Steen and senior Dave Williams (Thornhill, ON/Thornhill Rattlers). Sophomore Kevin Russette (Amerstburg, ON/Leamington Flyers) scored at 17:46 to give the home team a 3-0 advantage. Sophomore Greg Ihnken (Peoria, IL/Chicago Freeze) and senior Robin Charest (Cabano, QC/Hebron Academy) assisted on Russette’s first goal as a Forester. Eau Claire finally got on the scoreboard with 42 seconds remaining in the second.

The Blugolds pulled to within a goal at the 5:55 mark of the third stanza but, just 16 seconds later, Lake Forest sophomore Jordan Kniaziew (Leamington, ON/Leamington Flyers) scored his first of the season. Junior Troy Lother (Beach Park, IL/Green Bay Gamblers) recorded the assist.

Senior Joel Cameron (Markham, ON/Milton Merchants) needed 23 saves to record the victory on Friday. Classmate Cody Brown (Calgary, AB/Calgary Canucks) was the Foresters’ goaltender in Saturday’s win and recorded 35 saves, including 27 in the final two periods.

Senior Rob Nerland (Calgary, AB/Kimberly Dynamites) put the home team on the scoreboard first at 11:25 in the opening period. Fellow seniors Ryan Panet (Markham, ON/Wexford Raiders) and Andrew Francone (Unionville, ON/Milton Merchants) each earned an assist.

Francone put the Foresters ahead by two at the 2:13 mark of the second period. He was assisted by Williams. After the Pointers pulled to within one at 13:20, Steen scored what turned out to be the game-winner at 17:15. Charest and Canal assisted Steen’s sixth goal of the year.

Stevens Point scored a power play goal at 5:32 but was unable to tie the score.

Lake Forest will take on the same two opponents next weekend (January 27-28) on the road. The Foresters will play at Stevens Point at 7:30 Friday night and at Eau Claire on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.