The Lakers will take on the St. Thomas Tommies on Jan. 23, 2026
NEWS RELEASE
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY
*********************************
Lake Superior State University Athletics (LSSU), in partnership with the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., is excited to announce that LSSU’s NCAA Division I men’s hockey team will host the second Superior Ice Showdown on Jan. 23, 2026. This year’s event will feature a Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) regular season game against University of St. Thomas Tommies at the GFL Memorial Gardens. LSSU is thrilled to bring NCAA Hockey to its sister city of Sault Ontario for an international hockey celebration. “We’re excited for the opportunity to bring a Laker Hockey game across the river to GFL Memorial Gardens,” Laker head coach Damon Whitten said. “The Twin Saults share such a unique connection, and we’re proud to be part of that. We have a lot of passionate alumni in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and it’s special for them to see Laker Hockey in their home community. With two players on our roster from Sault, Ontario, it makes the event even more special. To showcase college hockey in Ontario is a unique experience, and we’re thrilled to share it with our fans on both sides of the border.” “It is appropriate that our next Superior Ice Showdown take place in our sister city, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario,” Lake Superior State University President Dr. David Travis said. “This continues a legacy of the two Saults working together to support each other. We are very appreciative of the GFL Memorial Gardens and the Soo Greyhounds for allowing us to use their facility for this important event that highlights the longstanding partnership between our two cities.” “It’s so exciting to see the Superior Ice Showdown in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario,” said Sault Ste. Marie, MI Mayor Don Gerrie. “The City of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan has valued the close relationship with our sister city immensely. Our shared hockey culture continues to bond these great communities, and seeing Laker Hockey at GFL Memorial Gardens will be an incredible night for everyone.” The Lakers currently have two players from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., on their roster: Adam Barone, a defenseman entering his second season with the Lakers; and first-year player Calem Mangone from Sault Ste. Marie as well. The Lakers’ lineup features 11 Canadian players from Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia while having a strong tradition of recruiting top Canadian talent. Julio Francella, a Hockey Hall of Famer from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., played for the Lakers from 1971 to 1975 and remains one of their finest players. “Sault Ste. Marie has a storied history as a hockey community, and we are pleased to host the LSSU Lakers for an exciting showcase of cross-border hockey that brings the Twin Saults together,” Mayor Matthew Shoemaker of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., said “With so many proud LSSU alumni here in Sault Ste. Marie, this is the perfect chance to pack the stands in your blue and gold.” “The Twin Saults have always shared a close relationship through sport,” said Lake Superior State Athletics Director Tory Lindley. “We want to celebrate that history and look forward to what lies ahead for our communities together! We thank both cities-Sault Ste. Marie-and all those involved at GFL Memorial Gardens as well as Soo Greyhounds-for helping us bring Laker Hockey across St Mary’s River.” “I am excited to have Lake Superior State showcase their program and CCHA across Canada,” CCHA Commissioner Don Lucia said. “The CCHA has many student-athletes from Canada among its rosters; we aim continuously expose fans-and recruits alike-to terrific levels within CCHA play.” Coached by Damon Whitten , the Lakers start off their 59th collegiate season maintaining rich traditions surrounding hockey excellence established over time! They’ve secured five National Championships , qualified into eleven NCAA Tournaments , and produced eighteen All-Americans ! Thirty-seven former Laker athletes transitioned successfully into NHL careers! This program boasts legendary coaching histories featuring inductees like U. S. Hockey Hall Of Fame Ron Mason , Rick Comley , Frank Anzalone , and Jeff Jackson -with Whitten now entering his twelfth term leading them. Doors open at six p. m., with puck drop scheduled precisely seven oh seven p. m. Tickets go live October tenth available via purchase directly through GFL Memorial Garden’s Box Office or online at https://gflgardens. ca/LSSU. *********************************
Source link
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY
*********************************
Lake Superior State University Athletics (LSSU), in partnership with the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., is excited to announce that LSSU’s NCAA Division I men’s hockey team will host the second Superior Ice Showdown on Jan. 23, 2026. This year’s event will feature a Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) regular season game against University of St. Thomas Tommies at the GFL Memorial Gardens. LSSU is thrilled to bring NCAA Hockey to its sister city of Sault Ontario for an international hockey celebration. “We’re excited for the opportunity to bring a Laker Hockey game across the river to GFL Memorial Gardens,” Laker head coach Damon Whitten said. “The Twin Saults share such a unique connection, and we’re proud to be part of that. We have a lot of passionate alumni in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and it’s special for them to see Laker Hockey in their home community. With two players on our roster from Sault, Ontario, it makes the event even more special. To showcase college hockey in Ontario is a unique experience, and we’re thrilled to share it with our fans on both sides of the border.” “It is appropriate that our next Superior Ice Showdown take place in our sister city, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario,” Lake Superior State University President Dr. David Travis said. “This continues a legacy of the two Saults working together to support each other. We are very appreciative of the GFL Memorial Gardens and the Soo Greyhounds for allowing us to use their facility for this important event that highlights the longstanding partnership between our two cities.” “It’s so exciting to see the Superior Ice Showdown in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario,” said Sault Ste. Marie, MI Mayor Don Gerrie. “The City of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan has valued the close relationship with our sister city immensely. Our shared hockey culture continues to bond these great communities, and seeing Laker Hockey at GFL Memorial Gardens will be an incredible night for everyone.” The Lakers currently have two players from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., on their roster: Adam Barone, a defenseman entering his second season with the Lakers; and first-year player Calem Mangone from Sault Ste. Marie as well. The Lakers’ lineup features 11 Canadian players from Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia while having a strong tradition of recruiting top Canadian talent. Julio Francella, a Hockey Hall of Famer from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., played for the Lakers from 1971 to 1975 and remains one of their finest players. “Sault Ste. Marie has a storied history as a hockey community, and we are pleased to host the LSSU Lakers for an exciting showcase of cross-border hockey that brings the Twin Saults together,” Mayor Matthew Shoemaker of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., said “With so many proud LSSU alumni here in Sault Ste. Marie, this is the perfect chance to pack the stands in your blue and gold.” “The Twin Saults have always shared a close relationship through sport,” said Lake Superior State Athletics Director Tory Lindley. “We want to celebrate that history and look forward to what lies ahead for our communities together! We thank both cities-Sault Ste. Marie-and all those involved at GFL Memorial Gardens as well as Soo Greyhounds-for helping us bring Laker Hockey across St Mary’s River.” “I am excited to have Lake Superior State showcase their program and CCHA across Canada,” CCHA Commissioner Don Lucia said. “The CCHA has many student-athletes from Canada among its rosters; we aim continuously expose fans-and recruits alike-to terrific levels within CCHA play.” Coached by Damon Whitten , the Lakers start off their 59th collegiate season maintaining rich traditions surrounding hockey excellence established over time! They’ve secured five National Championships , qualified into eleven NCAA Tournaments , and produced eighteen All-Americans ! Thirty-seven former Laker athletes transitioned successfully into NHL careers! This program boasts legendary coaching histories featuring inductees like U. S. Hockey Hall Of Fame Ron Mason , Rick Comley , Frank Anzalone , and Jeff Jackson -with Whitten now entering his twelfth term leading them. Doors open at six p. m., with puck drop scheduled precisely seven oh seven p. m. Tickets go live October tenth available via purchase directly through GFL Memorial Garden’s Box Office or online at https://gflgardens. ca/LSSU. *********************************
Source link
