Tonight’s Matchup

The Oswego State Women’s Ice hockey team (9-1-0) will begin the first of a back to back weekend series against the Canton Kangaroos (5-2-0). This will be the first match-up between these two teams since December 7th, 2013 when the Lakers defeated the Kangaroos. Both teams come into this weekends matchup with a 3 game winning streak and look to continue their winning ways tonight.

Staying Disciplined 

This season the Lakers have done a great job of not taking penalties and not giving the opposition a lot of power-play time. The Lakers only commit 7.2 penalty minutes per game which is one of the top in the SUNYAC conference. It has helped the Lakers immensely to their fast start this season. It has also helped them not fall behind the 8 ball in any game. The momentum the Lakers hold throughout their games are not ruined by any dumb penalties which result in the opposition scoring. It also avoids a complete change in momentum happening that affects the rest of the game. Canton on the other hand can’t say the same as they commit 13.6 penalty minutes a game. That is something I’m sure they are looking to improve as the season progresses.

Outshooting the opposition

The Lakers have been dominant in many of their games this season for a plethora of reasons. There are always stats that overlooked though such as the amount of penalties Oswego State doesn’t commit. One stat that really says a lot about how the Lakers are playing this season is how many shots they have a game compared to their opponent. The Lakers get on average 34 shots a game while their opponent gets only 18 shots per game. That is a outstanding plus-16 shot differential for the Lakers. If they keep possessing the puck and get shots on net as well as quality scoring chances this could be a special season for this team.

Players to watch

Lakers- D- Kate Randazzo

The Freshman Randazzo has done a fantastic job on the backend this season and is doing a good job not just in her own end, but is producing offense as well getting 6 assists so far this season. She is one of the many Lakers that are doing a great job playing smart, tough, and skilled defensive hockey and transitioning into offensive.

Kangaroos- D- Noelle Niemiec

The Sophmore Niemiec has done a fantastic job scoring goals from the backend this season and is a big part of Canton’s good (5-2-0) start. She currently has 5 goals and 3 assists as she is the top scoring defenseman her team. It impressive that as a sophomore she is putting up these kinds of numbers. That only means she can get even better in the years to come.

By the numbers 

Goals per Game

OSW- 3.40

CAN- 3.71

Goals Against per Game

OSW-1.80

CAN-2.14

Power Play

OSW- 6/39 (15.4%)

CAN- 8/45 (17.8%)

Penalty Kill

OSW- 31/35 (88.6%)

CAN- 30/33 (90.9)

Game Prediction

I think this is going to be a fast and competitive game for two good teams. I do believe this one will be a bit of a defensive clinic and it will take a while for the first goal to be scored. I think that there will be sort of a feeling out process in this one. Both teams are so good in their own zone and I think that is going to make it hard for both teams to find the net. That being said I say the Lakers break through with 2 goals in the second and let up one late in the third but hold on to win this one.

Prediction: Oswego State Lakers 2, Canton Kangaroos 1