The Oswego State men’s ice hockey team kicked off a tough four-game road trip with a 4-1 victory over SUNY Fredonia on Friday night in front of 172 people at Steele Hall.
The Lakers received goal contributions from four different players and the defense held the Fredonia offense to just 17 shots on goal, as Oswego State remains atop the SUNYAC standings with nine points, one point ahead of Buffalo State and SUNY Plattsburgh.
Oswego State (6-1-1 overall, 4-0-1 SUNYAC) took advantage of a five-minute major to Fredonia’s Alex Perkins for checking from behind for the game’s first goal. Perkins also received a 10-minute game misconduct. With the man advantage, senior forward and team captain Andrew Mather scored on the team’s second power play attempt of the game, beating Fredonia goaltender Mark Friesen. Boots and Leimbrock were credited with the assists.
Less than three minutes later the Lakers took a two-goal lead on junior forward Luke Moodie’s fifth goal of the season. Junior forward Paul Rodrigues and junior defenseman Zach Josepher earned assists on the play.
Scoreless through most of the second period, the Lakers stretched their lead to three when junior forward Chris Muise put the puck past Friesen at 14:32 of the frame. junior forward Matt Singleton and junior defenseman Tim Carr earned assists on the play. Muise’s goal came less than a minute after Fredonia called a timeout.
Boots tallied his fourth goal of the season at 4:50 of the third period to build a four-goal lead. Leimbrock and sophomore forward Kyle Badham were credited with assists on the play. Boots’ goal ended Friesen’s night in net for the Blue Devils, as he was replaced by Jeff Holloway. Friesen finished the night with 34 saves in a losing effort for the Blue Devils.
Fredonia (4-3-1 overall, 2-3-1 SUNYAC) got on the board at 10:07 of the third period when Mike Muhs capitalized on a five-minute major on Leimbrock for hitting from behind. Leimbrock was also given a game misconduct. Muhs scored Fredonia’s only goal of the game on the power play, beating Oswego State junior goaltender Andrew Hare. Mat Hehr and Stephen Castriota were credited with assists.
The Oswego State defense limited the Blue Devil offense to just single digit shots in each period. The Blue Devils recorded just two shots on goal in the second period and six in the third period. The Lakers more than doubled Fredonia’s shot total, 41-17.
Both teams recorded one power-play goal, as the Lakers finished 1-for-6 and the Blue Devils finished 1-for-5. The two teams combined for 54 penalty minutes.
Hare finished with 16 saves to move to 5-1-1- this season. In relief, Holloway finished with three saves.
The Lakers continue their four-game road trip against the Buffalo State Bengals on Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Buffalo State Sports Arena at 7 p.m. Fans can either check out live video on the Buffalo State athletics page or by tuning into 88.9 FM WNYO.
