The Oswego State men’s ice hockey team will play an exhibition matchup against the Central Canadian Hockey League All-Graduate team tonight at the Marano Campus Center Ice Arena.

The Lakers failed to reach the Frozen Four for the first time in five years last season. After losing six total seniors, the Lakers look to rebound behind a strong class of 2017, which includes 13 members.

The team’s season ended prematurely when they lost in Michigan to Adrian College 5-4 in the NCAA Quarterfinals.

Head coach Ed Gosek plans to use the exhibition to give everyone playing time and figure out which players play best with other players and on what line, especially on defense. With former leading defenders Bobby Gertsakis, Mike Wills and Nick Rivait all gone, the Lakers will need to find new replacements to lead the defense.

Although Gertsakis was a defenseman, he was a leader on the Lakers’ lethal power play unit and when he went down with an injury, the team struggled to score in his absence.

Captains Mac Scott and Chris Raguseo will most likely be the first two to have the chance to step up on defense.

All three goalies, Justin Gilbert, Matt Zawadski and Adrian Ignagni will all see playing time, with Zawadski expected to be the starter come regular season.

Although this is an exhibition matchup, the Lakers need this game to build momentum for what looks to be a tough opening schedule for them in the first few weeks.

Puck drop will be at 7 p.m.

Key To The Game:

Can the news starters on the Laker defense hold up enough to give the potent offense enough chances? Raguseo, Scott and Stephen Johnson will all be looked at to lead this team from a defensive standpoint. With three different goalies who all have different playing styles having playing time today, it will be important for the defense to stick together and hold their opponent to few opportunities.

Prediction: Oswego State wins 5-2

The Lakers will have plenty of offense in this game to keep the puck on their side of the blue line and will pull out a victory to start their season.