Team Scope

Lakers- Nobody knows what to expect from this Oswego State team. After what many dubbed a failed season, the Lakers ended up with a home playoff game to start SUNYAC postseason play. The offense is down this year, from 4.5 goals per game last year to 3.0 this year, but other facets of their game has held steady. Nothing spectacular but they got by and are now in control of their own destiny. Matt Zawadzki has put up decent numbers and is tied for most shutouts in the nation with four. In playoff hockey you need your goalie to be your best player and the junior is more than capable of doing that.

Golden Eagles- The beneficiaries of a SUNY Potsdam freefall, the College at Brockport finds themselves travelling to the banks of Lake Ontario to take on a team they failed to beat this year. This team is just as inconsistent, if not more, than the Lakers. One thing they do have is Chase Nieuwendyk. In his senior season he stands at seventh in Div. III hockey for points per game with 1.48. Nieuwendyk added two assists in the tie with SUNY Plattsburgh and amassed two points, a goal and an assist, against the Lakers this season. His nose for the net will be on full display tonight.

Last 5

Oswego State enters postseason play with some confidence. After a 7-2 beat down of SUNY Fredonia, with scoring from all over the lineup, the Lakers should feel good about themselves. Going 3-2 in their last five isn’t spectacular, but it shows how this season has gone for the Lakers.

The Golden Eagles are right in the same boat.  Needing points coming into the final weekend, Coach Dickinson’s team did not disappoint. With a tie to a nationally ranked powerhouse, SUNY Plattsburgh, and a 3-1 win over SUNY Potsdam this group has cemented itself as a playoff team. Going 2-1-2 in their last five helped them reach a game with the Lakers. It is worth noting that SUNY Canton beat Brockport on Feb. 13, Oswego State had little trouble defeating them recently.

Previous Matchups

The Lakers walked away with the two points in each contest this year. First, a 2-0 victory and then a 5-3 win helped sweep the Golden Eagles. Brockport’s last win against Oswego State was back on Feb. 15 of 2014. Awhile back now for this Golden Eagles team but they look hungry, both teams do. Oswego State is 84-5-6 all-time against the Golden Eagles, the Lakers have not beat any team more than Brockport.

Lineup Card

The Lakers will have Matt Galati back in the lineup tonight after missing the season finale. Joey Davies is back from injury and is in the lineup as well. He hasn’t played since the 0-0 tie with Utica College on Jan. 8. The junior put up a respectable 8 points in the 14 games he played, this is huge for the Lakers. Davies was hurt in the season opener last year, but scored two goals. He would not play the rest of the season.

Taylor Joseph will once again be the back up goalie tonight. Ignagni is still missing, his concussion symptoms must still be bad enough to keep him out.

Nicholas Palumbo and Connor Bass will be a game time decision as to who will dress on the third pairing for the Golden Eagles.

Playoff Scene

This time of year it is anybody’s game to win. In single elimination format, any team can pull out the victory and move on. This one might come down to whatever team gets the most bounces to go their way. The Lakers matchup well with the Golden Eagles. Neither team is overly physical and they have opposite goal totals when it comes to period breakdown.

Defensively the Lakers are the better team, allowing 2.2 goals per game to a 3.0 average for Brockport. Anytime a team is giving up around three goals a game it’s tough to win consistently, and they proved that this year. The College at Brockport does not boast one positive goal differential in conference play. Their best is an even rating in the first period. The Lakers are +7 in both the second and third periods, while Brockport is a combined -7 in their final 40 minutes.  Those last two periods will be the difference maker.

Accolades

The College at Brockport is home to the SUNYAC Defensive Playoff of the Year and the Rookie of the Year.  Chad Cummings took home defensive honors and was named Second Team All-Conference, while Tim Kielich was named the top freshman. Chase Nieuwendyk was named to the First Team All-Conference, of course. To round it all out, Chris Luker was named to Third Team All-Conference.

Also this week, Cole Burack was named the SUNYAC Goalie of the Week after his huge night against SUNY Plattsburgh. Tim Kielich also grabbed SUNYAC Rookie of the Week honors after putting up four assists this past week.

The Lakers had two players named to an All-Conference team. Shawn Hulshof grabbed Second Team honors after his 24 point season. Stephen Johnson won Third Team honors with his solid play in his own end.

Players to Watch

Lakers- Joey Davies

He will take over Trent Durocher’s spot as the fourth line center tonight. The junior was productive pre-injury in his 14 games, putting up points in 6 contests. It will be interesting to see what he can bring to the Lakers tonight. Nobody has seen a lot from Davies because of his injures while with the program. His added offensive presence could be a key to the Lakers’ success.

Golden Eagles- Cole Burack

The SUNYAC Goalie of the Week is coming off of a big outing against SUNY Plattsburgh where he made 45 saves. He also got the win and clinched the five seed with a win over SUNY Potsdam. He’s an athletic goalie that has helped this team succeed all year. He could be the difference maker tonight.

By the Numbers

Seeding

Lakers- 4 seed

Golden Eagles- 5 seed

Goals Per Game

Lakers- 3.0

Golden Eagles- 3.6

Powerplay

Lakers- 18-89 (20.2%) [No. 25 in Div. III]

Golden Eagles- 23-101 (22.8%) [No. 16 in Div. III]

Penalty Kill

Lakers- 90-104 (86.5%) [No. 23 in Div. III]

Golden Eagles- 70-86 (81.4%) [No. 41 in Div. III]

Game Prediction

These two teams are very familiar with each other. The Lakers did win both matchups this season, that doesn’t mean they will win for certain here tonight. For some reason Oswego State is just one of those teams that the Golden Eagles can’t figure out. With the numerous accolades that this team acquired there is no doubt they have a lot of raw talent, it just all has to come together. Brockport is hot right now and they could carry that into tonight’s game, they were deadly in last year’s SUNYACs. It will be close, but Oswego State edges out the win and secures it with an empty netter late.

Lakers win 4-2