SUPERIOR ICE SHOWDOWN: ST. THOMAS TOMMIES VS LSSU LAKERS

Lake Superior State University Athletics (LSSU) in association with the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario is pleased to announce that LSSU’s NCAA Division I men’s hockey team will host the 2nd Superior Ice Showdown on January 23, 2026.

This year’s event with include a Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) regular season game against University of St. Thomas Tommies at the GFL Memorial Gardens. LSSU is proud to bring NCAA Hockey to its sister city of Sault Ontario for a celebration of hockey internationally.

The Lakers have two players on their current roster from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Adam Barone, a defenseman, enters his second season with the Lakers. This season, he’s joined by first-year player Calem Mangone, also from Sault Ste. Marie. The Lakers roster 11 Canadian players from Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia and have a proud tradition of recruiting top Canadian talent. Julio Francella, a Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Hockey Hall of Famer, starred for the Lakers from 1971 to 1975 and remains one of the program’s finest players.

Coached by Damon Whitten, the Lakers embark on their 59th season of collegiate play with a proud, rich hockey tradition. The Lakers have won five National Championships, qualified for 11 NCAA Tournaments, and produced 18 All-Americans. 37 Laker players have gone on to compete in the NHL.

Doors open at 6:00 PM with puck drop at 7:07 PM.

Tickets go on sale October 10 and can be purchased at the GFL Memorial Gardens Box Office or online at https://gflgardens.ca/LSSU.

You may also like the following events from GFL Memorial Gardens:

• Happening on, 14th February, 01:00 pm, 20th Annual Gathering at the Rapids Pow Wow in Sault Ste. Marie
• Happening on, 30th March, 07:30 pm, GOO GOO DOLLS: CANADA SPRING 2026 TOUR in Sault Ste. Marie

Also check out other Sports events in Sault Ste. Marie.