Get On Your Feet

With just four more conference games before the SUNYAC tournament each tilt needs to be considered as a playoff match-up inside the Laker locker room if they want a home playoff game. As Oswego State squares off with the Cardinals tonight you won’t find any lack of excitement on either team’s roster. In a huge rivalry game like this everyone knows what is on the line. The Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena will be electric tonight.

“That’s what college hockey is all about,” said Plattsburgh head coach Bob Emery. “Get amped up to play your rival.

Keys to Victory

A good start is a must in this game but, the bigger key to victory is to hold a lead. Oswego State blew a pair of two goal leads and eventually fell in overtime the last time these two teams met. Luckily, this game is on the road and the Lakers always seem to play better on the road against the Cardinals. The Lakers have a 2 game win streak on the road against SUNY Plattsburgh. The Cardinals are ranked No. 3 and No. 5 in USCHO.com and D3hockey.com polls, respectively. SUNY Plattsburgh is ranked for a reason but history has a weird way of repeating itself.

Faceoffs are also a big key for the Lakers if they want to win tonight. They were excellent last game inside the circles, winning 31 draws to Cortland’s 21, but the last match-up between the Lakers and the Cardinals, the boys in green weren’t as dominate.  The Lakers won just four more draws than SUNY Plattsburgh. If Oswego State can win the faceoff battle by a larger margin, or just win the majority of offensive zone draws, it will help the team set up quality scoring chances. Offensive zone time and possession numbers need to be in Oswego State’s favor after tonight is over if they want to win.

Looking Ahead

This game comes as the Lakers sit four points behind SUNY Plattsburgh and are in third place. The Cardinals have a game in hand, as do the Geneso Knights. This is a huge number to look at down the stretch because with a loss tonight and a Potsdam win, as well as two Cortland wins over Morrisville State, the Lakers could be looking at the fifth spot very quickly. Both games this weekend are must wins. It’s now or never. There is no more of this “there is time to make these games up” mantra, the Oswego State Lakers need to get things done.

Youth Movement

Cameron Berry will center the first line tonight after rotating in with Connor Boyd on the fourth line last game. Berry, the freshman, is a hard working forward with good speed. Those two traits make up for his inexperience on the ice. He can skate with anyone and hardly ever is outmatched on the ice. Berry has three assists on the year but could add to that total as he is playing with Kenny Neil and Mitch Herlihey.

Huge Spot, Big Game

Matt Zawadzki will be in net tonight for the Lakers. He lost his last game against the Geneseo Knights but Zawadzki has been known to have that clutch factor. He will need that tonight, for sure. The junior hasn’t fulfilled all expectations this year but still has good numbers. Allowing just 2.18 goals per game he should be seeing some more wins. He needs help on the offensive end, which has been the Lakers biggest problem all year. If Zawadzki is in his “zone” tonight the Lakers will be in a good spot.

Player to Watch

Oswego State- Matt Galati

Galati matched his goal total on the year last game after scoring twice to help propel the Lakers to a win. He will need to continue his solid play tonight to help stabilize the Oswego State attack. The offense has been spotty at times but with his name back in the goal column the Lakers have just one more weapon on their arsenal. He will need to be come up big tonight so watch for him to see what he can create in the offensive end.

SUNY Plattsburgh- Rich Botting

Botting registered three assists in the last match-up and is second on the team in points, as a defenseman. The senior has 15 helpers on the year and is the definition of a two-way defender. He will be matched up with Oswego State’s top lines and play a huge chunk of minutes to try to shut down the Lakers. Botting rarely disappoints and is one of the better defenseman in the SUNYAC.

By the Numbers

Standings

Lakers- 15 points [Third Place]

Cardinals- 19 points [First Place]

Goals Per Game

Lakers- 2.89

Cardinals- 4.40

Power Play

Lakers- 13-66 (19.7%) [No. 28 in Div. III]

Cardinals- 28-98 (29.2%) [No. 3 in Div. III]

Penalty Kill

Lakers- 60-72 (83.3%) [Tied for No. 35 in Div. III]

Cardinals- 59-72 (81.9%) [No. 47 in Div. III]

Game Prediction

The biggest game of the weekend in the SUNYAC will come down to the final period. Oswego State will be able to stay in the game due to a power play goal. The Cardinal PK is one of their weakest facets in their game and the Lakers will capitalize to keep them in the game. SUNY Plattsburgh will come through with a third period goal and sweep the season series tonight.

Cardinals win 3-2