Lake Superior State opened the game with two quick scores and never looked back as it downed 20th-ranked Alaska 5-1 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association series opener Friday night at Taffy Abel Arena.

The Lakers (14-16-1, 9-13-1-1 CCHA) scored nine seconds in and 1:07 into the first period as they won for the second time in three games this season against the Nanooks (13-12-4, 11-11-3-1 CCHA).

Domenic Monardo scored twice for LSSU and Buddy Robinson and Zach Sternberg each had one goal and one assist while Kellan Lain had one tally. Ben Power also contributed with a pair of helpers.

Kevin Murdock earned the win between the pipes with 46 saves, including 21 in the third period, to improve to 9-10 on the season while freshman John Keeney (Twin Peaks, Calif./Business administration) took the loss to drop his record to 9-8-3 after making 22 saves on 26 shots faced. Senior Steve Thompson (Anchorage, Alaska/Psychology) replaced Keeney and made four saves on five LSSU shots.

The Nanooks' lone goal game from freshman forward Tyler Morley (Burnaby, B.C./General studies) as he struck the back of the net shorthanded for the 10th score of his rookie campaign. The sole assist was credited to senior forward Andy Taranto (Woodridge, Ill./Communication).

The Lakers opened the contest with the first score of the game just nine ticks in on a goal by Lain. Less than a minute later, Lake State doubled the advantage to 2-0 at 1:07 when Sternberg put the puck past Keeney.

The lamp continued to turn on early as Alaska got on the board at 3:04 with Morley's shorthanded tally.

In the second, LSSU once again doubled the lead to 3-1 with Monardo's first goal of game and 14th on the season.

At 11:11 of the third period, Robinson ended Keeney's day when he scored an even-strength goal that gave the Lakers a 4-1 lead. Following the goalie change, LSSU kept on scoring with its fifth and final tally at 11:38 by Monardo, who lit the lamp for the 15th time on the year.

The Nanooks dominated shots on goal 47-31, including 21-9 in the third, but never found an offensive rhythm resulting in scores.

Both teams conclude the series Saturday at 3:05 p.m. (AKT) and can be heard on KCBF 820 AM.