The following season, with Anzalone leaving to coach in the professional ranks, Smith saw his ice time and production blossom under former assistant Jeff Jackson.
[2] Lake State received the top western seed, however, Clarkson arrived ready to play in the 1991 national quarterfinals and took two of three games to knock out the tournament favorites.
The championship game against Wisconsin turned into a bit of a debacle due to questionable penalty calls but the Lakers were the ones who were ahead when the dust settled.
The Black Bears got off to a quick start with two goals before the first period was half over but Lake Superior's defense tightened up afterwards and allowed their offense to begin whittling down Maine's advantage.
Unfortunately for Smith, his team was facing down the nation's top offense, led by future Hall of Famer Paul Kariya, and Maine was able to get three goals in quick succession to snatch victory away from Lake Superior.