The Grand Valley State Division I roller hockey team was back in action for the first time in 2016 after a nearly two-month break. The Lakers played a total of five games between Jan. 23 and 24, finishing with a 4-1 record.

The Lakers have seemed to hit their stride after an up-and-down first semester of play. GVSU finished the first half of the season with a 5-3 record. After starting 4-1, the Lakers dropped two of their last three games.

With more new players on the team than in years past, finding chemistry among linemates was a work in progress in the first half of the season. But now with more games under their belt, the Lakers have found the right connections, and it is showing.

GVSU started the weekend with a comeback win against Slippery Rock University 4-3 and cruised to a 4-1 victory against Miami (Ohio) University.

“Our first game was a bit slower offensively, mostly due to the break,” said forward Dominic Zuelch, “but after that, things started clicking. Our puck movement was good and passes were tape-to-tape.”

Zuelch led the Lakers in scoring in the tournament, netting six goals to go along with three assists.

“I knew that moving my feet and using my speed would be critical and it proved to be that way,” Zuelch said. “It gave me good opportunities to score and good opportunities to set up my teammates.”

The third game came against Michigan State, a team the Lakers have squared off against twice before, losing both matches.

The Lakers gave the Spartans all they could handle, but lost in a shootout 2-1. The game featured a couple of key penalty kills by the Lakers in the final seconds of regulation and overtime to send the game to a shootout. In the shootout, the Spartans and Lakers went back and forth with impressive goals and saves by both teams. The Spartans eventually ended the game scoring after a save on the other end. The Spartans are undefeated so far in the 2015-16 season, but the Lakers will get two more cracks at MSU before the season is over.

“Taking the powerhouse Michigan State team to a shootout helped boost our confidence as a team and shows that, when we put a full game together, we can play with the best teams out there,” Zuelch said.

After the MSU game, the Lakers bounced back and won the next two games handily. GVSU throttled Michigan 9-2 and made similar work of Eastern Michigan, winning 8-2.

The GVSU defense held the opposing teams to under three goals in each game except one over the weekend. The defense was vital for the Lakers’ success, but the play by goaltender Aaron Mizgalski came as a surprise.

Mizgalski started the year as a defenseman, but after the previous goaltender did not return to the team for the second semester, he took over as goalie.

“I’m not new to competitive roller (hockey), so I was up for the challenge,” Mizgalski said. “I played like I know I can and things went great.”

The defense played strong in front of Mizgalski, allowing fewer than 15 shots in three of the games.

“The defense played great the whole weekend, very patient with the puck and made the smart plays,” Mizgalski said. “They did a great job of manning up and playing tough in the corners and protecting the front of my net.”

Mizgalski and the Lakers will look to continue to play at a high level Feb. 6 against Lindenwood and Bethel University.