John Hendry scored two goals and assisted on another Sunday as Lake Superior State won its third straight CCHA championship, defeating regular-season champion Miami of Ohio 3-0.
Lakers goalie Blaine Lacher made 17 saves in posting his second shutout of the season and was named most valuable player for the championships.
“We might be able to score a few more goals, but it would be tough to top the kind of defense we played this weekend,” said Lacher.
The victory gives Lake Superior, which finished third in the regular season, an automatic bid to the NCAA West regional, which will also be at Joe Louis Arena on Friday and Saturday.
The Lakers are 17-1-1 in their last 19 games.
“We’re the hottest team around,” coach Jeff Jackson said.
Rob Valicevic, who scored three goals in Lake Superior’s quarterfinal victory over Bowling Green, notched his sixth goal of the playoffs at 7 minutes 11 seconds of the first period for a 1-0 lead. Hendry beat goalie Richard Shulmistra on the glove side with a shot from the slot with 3:51 left in the third period and he scored an empty-netter at 19:03.
