The Oswego State women’s ice hockey team returns to the ice this morning at 11 a.m. to play the final game of a two-game series against SUNY Potsdam.

In the first game of the series, Oswego State was dominant, defeating the Bears 4-0, behind a hat trick from sophomore Brianna Rice and a 29-save performance by senior goalie Bridget Smith.

Rice’s game was the most dominant any player has had thus far in the season, as she tallied a goal in every period, each of the three came from different areas on the ice. Standing at six-feet-tall, the tallest on the team, she has used her size advantageously all year, and finally the potential met the product in Friday’s game.

Despite the fact that captain Tori Trovato has played excellent in the net all year for the Lakers, Head coach Diane Dillon gave the nod to Smith, who performed admirably en route to her first shutout of the season.

Although Smith and Rice led the way to a dominant victory, it was many small contributions that allowed Oswego State to move to 3-2 overall. Laura Thacker had two big consecutive stops late in the second period to preserve the lead, while the Lakers were trying to kill a SUNY Potsdam power play. The Bears only got off three total shots in their two power plays.

The Lakers also won the face-off battle, winning 29 of the 48 the face-offs. Erika Truschke and Lizzy Marks together won 21 of those.

Dillon looks to carry momentum over to the second game, hoping that history does not repeat itself. Two weeks ago when the Lakers defeated SUNY Cortland 4-0 on Friday, they fell to the Red Dragons on Saturday, 3-1. Dillon said she has made more preparations to her lines and game plan to keep her players fresher and more aware of the in-game situations.

Dillon has not stated whom she will start for the Saturday game in goal.

The Lakers are now 5-5-3 against The Bears under Dillon, and have outscored them 30-24 in those matchups.

However, they still currently trail SUNY Potsdam by a point in the ECAC West conference standings, and a win or a tie would propel them ahead and farther up the standings.