As homecoming weekend continues here on the banks of Lake Ontario the Lakers will try to bring the first hockey victory of the weekend home after their first ECAC West victory with a 4-2 win over SUNY Cortland last Sunday. Oswego State will take on the Utica College Pioneers in a home and home this weekend and try to move to the top of the standings.

Utica College is undefeated so far this season with a 4-0 record overall and a 2-0 conference record. They finished in fourth place behind the Lakers last year and looked to have improved this year so this may be a key matchup early in the season.

The Lakers have had trouble burying their chances this year and have lost some games because of it. The Pioneers, on the other hand, have had no trouble scoring goals. They have scored four or more goals in three of their four games.

Utica College has two players in double digit points already this year. The Lakers have none as Olivia Ellis leads the scoring with five points. Having just played four games that is nothing to sneeze at but seeing the Pioneers have only played four games as well it really catches your eye.

Tori Trovato is likely to play again today coming off a season high 28 saves last Sunday. Keira Goin is also slated to start. She comes in with a .972 save percentage to her name and could be trouble for the Lakers who have been snake bitten pretty much all year.

Players to Watch

Oswego State: Brianna Rice

Her team best +3 plus/minus and tie for the team lead in goals has been huge for the Lakers this year. Rice creates so many opportunities in the offensive zone because of her ability to drive to the net and create screens in front.  She will match up well with the bigger Utica defense. They also have only allowed one goals in ECAC West play this year.

Utica College: Morgan Reed and Gabrielle Schnepp

These two have a combined 22 points already this year. They both come in with four goals and seven assists on the season and are making the league take note. These numbers have given them the fourth best scoring totals in the league so far this year. Expect them to be all over the ice tonight  creating havoc in the offensive zone.

Game Prediction

With the Lakers scoring woes this year being on the way out and the way Utica College can score we could be in for a high scoring affair. Even though the Pioneers played two weaker teams so far you can’t take away from the amazing stats this team is putting up night after night. The Lakers need to find their identity today, they seem to be a different team each game. Look for both teams to come out and score some goals early but things should settle down in the second. A thrilling third will be in store and whoever wins the special teams battle tonight should win.

Lakers win 5-4