Top Line Dominance 

The top line for the Lakers of Kenny Neil, Alex Botten and Shawn Hulshof were the best trio on the ice all night. They combined for six points and could have had more if it wasn’t for two overturned goals. One phantom, one deserved.

The entire top six will stay the same tonight for the Lakers. This line has played well before in the past, but are really clicking right now. The best sign the Lakers could have asked for in the early going.

Drawing In

The wait to see Charlie Pelnik is finally over. He draws in for Sean Federow and will play alongside Kristoffer Brun.

Mitch Emerson is also drawing in after Pelnik and him both were ineligible. Emerson, the Pickering, Ontario native, will play alongside Trent Durocher, who is playing in his first game of the year as well. Joey Davies will center the two.

The line of Aaron Huffnagle, Josh Zizek and David Ferreira stays together tonight.

In the Crease

David Jacobson will start tonight after head coach Ed Gosek discussed postgame last night that the was plan to get him one start of the back-to-back games. He made 16 saves during his 20 minutes in the CCHL exhibition game.

Seeing either Parker Butler and Charl Pretorious wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for Elmira, but Sal Magliocco will get the start after allowing seven goals last night.

Physicality Department 

Elmira tried to get something going last night by throwing their bodies around more in the second. Oswego State wasn’t badly out hit and responded well to the physical play. The addition of Durocher will give the Lakers some more size. Emerson has a big frame as well that will help in this department.

Elmira College should come with more out of the gate tonight on home ice. We could see more of the same type of play we saw in the second and third periods last night in this one.

Players to Watch

Lakers-Charlie Pelnik

Touted as the best prospect to ever come out of North Carolina at one point, Pelnik and his long reach could be a more than reliable defender for the Lakers. If he has a solid showing tonight, this would give the defense core depth that could rival any SUNYAC contender.

Soaring Eagles-Matthew Cuce

The freshman was gifted his first collegiate goal last night, but he was one of the better freshman forwards in the Elmira College lineup. He took a penalty and was very active in the defensive zone. His impressive game was a bright spot for coach Saul. He stays on the wing on Elmira’s second line tonight with Connor Powell and Nick Ford.

Game Prediction

This is a game the Lakers should win and they will do just that tonight. Elmira will have some more push back, but the firepower throughout the Laker lineup will be too much for the Soaring Eagles to handle. David Jacobson shuts out Elmira, Stephen Johnson and the top unit power play net a pair, Joey Rutkowski gives fans another reason to jump on his hype train.

Lakers win 5-0