LAKE SUPERIOR STATE LAKERS:  Lake Superior State returns to USA Hockey Arena for the second time in four seasons to open up Team USA's 2022-23 home slate Friday evening.

The Lakers split their pair of exhibition contests last weekend, falling to Michigan Tech 5-2 on Saturday before responding with a 6-1 win over Nipissing University the following day.

Forward Logan Jenuwine had a big weekend as he recorded a team-high five points over the two contests, collecting a goal and four assists. Harrison Roy added three points (2g-1a) while Timo Bakos netted a pair of scores against Nipissing.

Ethan Langenegger started both games in net for Lake State, turning aside a combined 41 of 47 shots between the two games, before giving way to Easton Hesse on Sunday, who went a perfect 16-for-16 on his shots faced.

The last time these two teams faced off against each other, the Under-18 Team came from behind to tie the game in the third period and went on to win 5-4 in a shootout behind goals from Thomas Bordeleau and Ty Smilanic.

MICHIGAN TECH HUSKIES: The U18s complete the two-game home set this weekend by hosting Michigan Tech on Saturday evening.

The Huskies have already skated in a pair of exhibition contests, a 5-2 win over Lake Superior State and a 6-0 shutout over Lakehead University. The Huskies will start the regular season before coming to USA Hockey Arena as they face off against Ferris State on Friday evening.

Forward Logan Ganie potted two goals on seven shots against Lake State before getting the second game off. In his absence, the Huskies got a couple of three-plus point efforts from Logan Pietila (2g-1a) and Ryland Mosley (1g-3a).

Blake Pietila manned the net for Tech in the opener, turning aside 23 of 25 shots from the Lakers. It was Max Vayrynen's turn against Lakehead as he made 15 saves in the shutout.

This is the second consecutive season the NTDP and Michigan Tech have played, last season's contest coming at MacInnes Ice Arena on the Upper Peninsula. Brady Berard and Logan Cooley scored for the U18s as they came back to win, 2-1.