For the Oswego State Lakers the road ended where it began: with a loss. Following their 2-1 loss in Elmira to open the road schedule, the Lakers rattled off 22 straight victories, including nine on the road, before falling to SUNY Geneseo last Saturday, 3-1, in their final road game of the regular reason. Regardless of the less than perfect conclusion to the season, 2009-10 was a tremendous success for the men’s hockey program and the journey is far from over.
Protecting their house. Despite the fact that the Ice Knights spoiled the Lakers’ perfect SUNYAC season (15-1-0), Oswego State is still undefeated at the Campus Center Ice Arena (14-0-0). This is a very important statistic, as all SUNYAC playoff games and likely the opening round of the NCAA tournament will be held at home.
Healthy at the right time. Like any sports team, the Lakers have had their fair share of injuries this season. Justin Fox, Paul Rodrigues, Luke Moodie and Paul Beckwith are among the biggest names to have missed time over the course of regular season play. As it stands, the Lakers have a 100 percent healthy lineup to begin postseason play and are much more dangerous with all four lines intact.
Armageddon III? If all goes right for the Lakers this weekend in their SUNYAC semi-final, the scene will be set for the third Plattsburgh/Oswego State matchup of 2009-10. The Lakers have been victorious both times so far, winning 5-2 in Plattsburgh on Nov. 7 and 3-2 at home on Jan. 30. But don’t think the team is content just yet, as Plattsburgh has knocked Oswego State out of the SUNYAC title race nearly every season since 2002-03.
The big 5-0. Oswego State points leader Eric Selleck finished the season with exactly 50 points (20 goals, 30 assists). His line mates Chris Laganiere and Fox, each finished with 42 points to their credit as well. Last season, the team’s leading point scorer, Ryan Ellis, finished with 38. The last time a Laker hit the 50 mark was Brendan McLaughlin in 2006-07, the only season that ended with the Lakers winning the National Championship.
