Lake Forest College Sports Information
January 7, 2006
Contact: Mike Wajerski, SID

Kneeland’s Hat Trick/Five-Point Game Leads Foresters over Marian
Brandon Kohuch records first career shutout

 Mike Kneeland contributed to five of the team's eight goals.
LAKE FOREST, IL – The Lake Forest College men’s hockey team recorded an 8-0 shutout at home over Marian College Saturday (January 7) night in its first game of 2006. The Foresters are now 7-8-0 this season while the loss dropped the Sabres’ record to 6-7-0.

Freshman Mike Kneeland (Calgary, AB/Calgary Royals) started off a memorable night with the game’s first goal at the 10:41 mark of the opening period. He was assisted by senior Bryan Lafevor (Ft. Wayne, IN/Chicago Freeze). Kneeland and freshman Matt Oke (St. Lambert, QE/Nepean Raiders) then assisted junior Tyler Canal (Thunder Bay, ON/Stratford Cullitons) at 14:54 on the period’s only other score.

Sophomore Kevin Russette (Amerstburg, ON/Leamington Flyers) scored his second goal of the season off an assist from junior Greg Ihnken (Peoria, IL/Chicago Freeze) just 77 seconds into the second stanza to extend the Forester lead to 3-0. Kneeland lit the lamp for the second time on the night at 13:01 off assists from Canal and junior Brian Lee (Toronto, ON/Calgary Royals). Lake Forest was shorthanded with 3:19 left in the period when Kneeland assisted Canal on his eighth goal of the season.

The home team scored three more times in the final period, beginning at 12:10 with Lee’s fourth goal of the year. He was assisted by Russette and freshman Peter Morrison (Roseville, MN/Roseville High School). Kneeland completed his first career hat trick at 16:12 off passes from Lee and Canal. Freshman Jeff Birr (Markdale, ON/Pickering Panthers) finally closed out the scoring with his first career goal at 19:32. Junior Graham Melbourne (Belleville, ON/Trenton Sting) recorded the assist.

Kneeland now leads Lake Forest with nine goals, 15 assists, and 24 points on the season. Four of Canal’s eight goals on the year have occurred while Lake Forest opponents have been on the power play, giving him twice as many shorthanded goals as any other player in the nation.

Freshman goaltender Brandon Kohuch (Winsdor, ON/Chatham Maroons) stopped each of Marian’s 40 shots on goal to record his first career shutout. He is now 4-3-0 on the season with a 2.94 goals against average and .922 save percentage.

The Foresters will host a pair of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schools next weekend (January 13-14). Hamline University will travel to Lake Forest for a 7:30 game Friday night and Bethel University will take on the Foresters at 2:30 Saturday afternoon.

Box Score