OFFENSE: B
The Oswego State Lakers continued the trend of scoring under the average goals the opposing team has allowed. The Bengals allowed an average of 4.2 goals before Oswego State, who scored four goals on Nov. 17. Despite goals from Mitch Emerson, Cameron Berry, Joey Molinaro and Aaron Huffnagle, the Lakers were not able to convert on a lot of open-net and rebound opportunities. The Lakers peppered Ian Sylves with 39 shots on goal, but could not notch the simple ones.
Molinaro led the team with seven shots, and almost came away with a second goal late in the third period. Berry’s ability at the faceoff circle was a big help in the win, as well. He went 15-24 in the night, and got the assist on the Molinaro goal, which was the first of the game.
DEFENSE: A
The Lakers didn’t spend too much time in the defensive zone, playing a majority of the game in both the offensive and neutral zones. They allowed 24 shots on goal, but kept the Bengals to a minimum in the first two periods. They gave up 7 and 5 shots, respectively. One goal of the three they allowed could truly be considered the defense’s fault, after breaking down with under a minute to go in the game. Vadim Vasjonkin scored the final goal for the Bengals.
Tyler Currie was a great asset on defense, blocking multiple shots in the game.
GOALTENDING: C+
David Richer did not face a lot of action throughout the game. However, in 24 shots, he allowed three goals. Two of which were goals that he should not have allowed. In the first goal from Anthony Passero, he attempted to pass the puck but ended up with a bobbled pass that trickled past Richer’s blocker. The second goal, from Mac Wood, was not even shot by a Bengal. Wood dumped the puck to the far boards, and bounced towards the crease. Richer backed up, and eventually kicked in the goal himself.
Richer was solid at the end of the third period, when Buffalo State pulled Sylves for the 6-on-5 man advantage. Despite letting up the third goal, Richer stopped some point-blank saves that prevented the game from going into overtime. It is truly a toss-up who will get the starting nod between Richer and Cedric Hansen, for the game against SUNY Fredonia. Both goaltenders have shown both strengths and weaknesses throughout the season, making the starting job a harder choice for head coach Ed Gosek.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B-
The Lakers did not have many opportunities on the power play, nor the penalty kill. With only three chances on the power play, they were not able to get anything past Sylves. However, they did not give him much difficulty, only firing five shots on the power players. On their first power play in the opening period, with a boarding penalty from Ryan Stayner, the Lakers only had one shot.
The penalty kill only had to face two Buffalo State power plays. They allowed two shots on the first power play, in the second period after a hooking call from Carter Allen. But, they were able to blank the Bengals in the third period after a Thomas Horn boarding penalty. The discipline of the Lakers, and strong penalty killing unit, was a big force for the Lakers in their win against Buffalo State.
