Since statistics were recorded for Oswego State men’s hockey beginning for the 1986-87 season, the Lakers have never scored at a pace lower than 3.1 goals per game, a mark attained during the 2015-16 season.

Through three games this season, Oswego State has scored at a pace of 2.67 goals per game, which is on pace to be the worst mark in program history. This average is alarmingly down from the 6.00 goals per game they managed last year through three games. Through 28 games last season, the average was 4.60, which is a mark this year’s team has not reached yet in a single game.

With only 29.5 percent of goals scored last season returning to the team, it was discussed over the offseason where the goals would come from. However, since Oswego State is Oswego State, it is hard not to believe that someone would step up, and so far nobody has. Outside of Josh Zizek’s hat-trick outburst on opening night against Elmira College, just five other players have one goal apiece.

Another alarming statistic is against all three opponents so far, the Lakers have scored nearly below the average goals against per game that the team has allowed.

Elmira College has allowed 3.75 goals per game through four games, and the Lakers managed four goals. Against their strongest and only ranked opponent so far, then-No. 9 Hobart College, the Lakers only scored once against a team that has allowed 2.33 goals a game through three games. Last weekend against SUNY Cortland, who has allowed 3.67 goals per game, Oswego State scored three times.

The defensive corps and goaltenders must be applauded for keeping the Lakers in all three games so far and limiting the team to just one loss, as the offense has struggled to get off the ground.

But, as is always the case with Ed Gosek-coached teams, there is plenty of talent across the board.

A few players to note that are capable of catching fire and sparking the Lakers offense are senior Mitch Herlihey, sophomore Michael Gillespie, and freshman AJ D’Orazio, who played the first two games together on the first line.

Herlihey finished fifth in scoring on last year’s stacked scoring team with a total of 27 points in 25 games, the highest of all returners. Herlihey missed the game against SUNY Cortland due to injury, so his upcoming return is something to watch, as the captain will undoubtedly be aware he will be depended on to pick up the slack.

Gillespie is an interesting player because of his history. In between parts of three different seasons with the Lincoln Stars of the USPHL, the New City, New York, native laced up for eight games for Div. I Ohio State University. Though he mustered just one goal in eight games, he had the talent to crack a Div. I roster, which is an impressive feat for any player. Last season, he had eight goals and 14 assists for the Stars in 42 games played. Notching his first goal as a Laker over SUNY Cortland, the sophomore is poised to break out.

D’Orazio is coming off a season with St. Michaels of the OJHL where he scored 30 goals and 41 assists through 52 games. Though the OJHL is not Div. III, 71 points in any league is not anything to ignore. His obvious scoring touch has a chance to translate to Div. III hockey, and he could have the potential to be another breakout star for Oswego State as the season progresses. With this in mind, there is hope on the horizon for a Lakers offense that has disappointed so far.

Photo by: Dominick Lioto | The Oswegonian