Steak Dinner

The second day of the Pink in the Rink weekend continues today with another game against Williams College. These two two teams tied 3-3 yesterday. The Ephs sit in third in the NESCAC, with an 8-6-0 record, and were the better team all night. Tori Trovato should be getting a free meal from her teammates soon after her 47 save performance. The Lakers will need to tighten up defensively if they want to win this game today. You can’t ask your goalie to bail you out, as much as she did yesterday, for a second straight game.

Triple Threat

After a third straight overtime game yesterday, the Oswego State Lakers know what it means to play tight hockey. They are 1-1-1 in this stretch and come playoff time this could be beneficial for the Lakers. Coach Dillon eluded to that yesterday. Granted, Williams Smith isn’t as good of a team as Williams College, but the Lakers staying in that game after getting heavily out shot is a good sign.

The O-Zone

The Lakers have scored nine goals in their last three games after scoring one in their previous six against teams that aren’t named Morrisville State. Another good sign for the Lakers down this final regular season stretch. They only tallied 16 shots all of last game. A terrible number, but they were able to keep pace with the Ephs in the goal department. They had limited opportunities, but took advantage of them. Oswego State seems to have their scoring touch back.

Today

After a lackluster offensive performance, shot total wise, the Lakers will need some fixing today. Defense has been an issue for most of the year, but goaltending has kept the Lakers alive. Oswego State will have to find a way to beat this Williams College forecheck and be able to connect passes in the neutral zone to help generate offense. Oswego State didn’t have enough puck possession time and that needs to change.

Players to Watch

Lakers- Kendall Appelbaum

Appelbaum finished with a +2 rating yesterday. That’s a good sign for her as she has been on the wrong end of that stat a lot this year. She was one of the better defenseman yesterday and is integral part of the Laker back end. She plays top minutes and is used on special teams. She will need to continue better play to support the Lakers’ playoff push. Look for her to get on the score sheet today.

Ephs- Alex Lovaas

The sophomore is third on her team in scoring and put up five shots yesterday but no points. It’s not often that she can’t get on the score sheet. Lovaas may just be able to do that today. She has scored five goals in her last nine games. A dangerous weapon for the Ephs that can slip under the radar at times.

By the Numbers

Lakers- 15 points [Fifth place in the ECAC West]

Ephs- 16 points [Third place in the NESCAC

Goals Per Game

Lakers- 2.23

Ephs- 2.29

Power Play

Lakers- 12-74 (16.2%) [No. 27 in Div. III]

Ephs- 9-71 (12.7%) [No. 40 in Div. III]

Penalty Kill

Lakers- 44-51 (86.3%) [Tied for No. 21 in Div. III]

Ephs- 61-66 (92.4%) [No. 4 in Div. III]

Game Prediction

After a great game yesterday one should expect another one. The Williams College penalty kill is one of the best in the nation and the Lakers don’t take many penalties, the least in the nation, so this one won’t come down to special teams. Neither powerplay is that great as well. This one will come down to goaltending. Trovato was the MVP of the game yesterday for the Lakers. Margaret Draper was inconsistent, not surprising since she didn’t see a whole lot of action. If the Lakers can make some adjustments and are able to control the puck more they should be able to come out with the win.

Lakers win 3-2