The Oswego State women’s hockey team will open their season against the Barrie Junior Sharks of the Provincial Women’s Hockey League in an exhibition game Saturday at 3 p.m.

The Junior Sharks are a team based in Barrie, Ontario and are coached by Duane Aldridge. The Sharks are comprised of players that are looking to commit to a college in the United States or Canada. Their leading scorer, Kara Washer, is already committed to the University of Maine.

Coach Aldridge realizes that his team is slightly outmatched, with the Lakers being a faster and more physical team, but feels they can compete. Although this team isn’t a college team, the Junior Sharks lost 4-0 to Ryerson University, a top college in Canada, earlier this season.

The Lakers are going to take this exhibition to evaluate players and get in regular season mode. All goalies will play and every player dresses while the freshman will get adjusted to being a college athlete.

“It’s our first contest so we establish our game day habits and it is a chance to see how everybody looks,” Coach Diane Dillon said.

One player to watch from each team is Olivia Ellis from Oswego and Kara Washer from Barrie.

Ellis led the team in assists, plus/minus and was tied for the team in goals last year. As a sophomore now she will have to prove that she can produce yet again and avoid the sophomore slump.

Washer leads her with team three goals and one assist combined for four total points. Out of those three goals two of them were game winning goals.

The Lakers will start senior captain, Tori Trovato while the Junior Sharks will most likely start Briar Hughes between the pipes.

Game Prediction

This matchup shouldn’t be too much of a test for the Lakers, but if they take this exhibition for granted, the Sharks may be able to give the Lakers trouble.

Final Score: 6-2 Lakers win