Offense: A-

The Oswego State Lakers offense had a much better outing in the second half of a back-to-back against the top team in the nation, Plattsburgh State. Despite taking two fewer shots, the Lakers controlled the puck for a good portion of the game, including a majority of the first period. The Lakers were able to control the puck due to great transition plays all game long. Oswego State was able to efficiently get the puck out of their own end and into the offensive zone. Great puck movement and transition play led to the first goal for the Lakers on the rush by the captain Olivia Ellis. She fired a shot that went bar-down past the Cardinal’s senior goaltender, Brooke Wolejko. The first goal alone managed to bump up Wolejko’s goals against average as she came into the game giving up a minute 0.88 goals a game.

Although the offense generated significantly less shots and opportunities in the second, they had to battle through for penalties, including nearly two minutes of five-on-three. With so much time and energy spent on the penalty kill and neutral zone, the Lakers were not able to find time to get into the offensive zone with regularity. After the second, the Lakers only took one penalty, and in consequence the offense returned to form.

In the third period, Oswego State had several quality chances. Freshman Jean-Marie Padden had a two-on-one with sophomore Julieann White, where Padden shot the puck into the glove of Wolejko. Shortly after, White and Grupp had the puck on two separate occasions, but on both tries they could not get the puck on net. With just 16.8 seconds left in the game, senior Victoria Blake received a pass from her defensive partner Philomena Teggart and fired a one-timer into the back of the net. Blake’s first goal of the season was a timely one as it forced the game to overtime where the Lakers had a few chances on a power play at the end of the fourth frame but could not find twine to defeat the No. 1/2 Cardinals.

Defense: B+

The defense had an excellent day after a rough game the night before where they gave up six goals including five in the first period alone. The Lakers first period defensive effort was really felt in the neutral zone as the Cardinals could not get into the offensive zone. The lack of offensive zone time for Plattsburgh State can really be attributed to the phenomenal gap control in the neutral zone. Oswego State was able to keep the gaps tight forcing the Cardinals to dump the puck or cough it up for another turnover. On several occasions, the Lakers made really smart pinches in the neutral and offensive zone, most notably by Grupp, Eryn Stewart and Blake.

In the second period, Plattsburgh State found their legs and managed to hem Oswego State in their own zone through intense forechecking. Although the Lakers could not get the puck out of the zone, the Lakers defense did not break. While there were a handful of turnovers, the Cardinals were forced to the outside and the Lakers protected the slot extremely well. On top of that, Oswego State was able to clear the crease after Mariah Madrigal made the first save. That is a recipe for success at any level of hockey as the goaltender is usually responsible for the first save and the defense for the rebounds and second-chance opportunities. One play that particularly stood out in the third period was Blake’s diving attempt to block a pass from the right side of the crease into the slot, a play which probably would have resulted in a goal.

Both of Plattsburgh State’s goals came on the power play, one of which was a five-on-three.

Goaltending: B

Madrigal made 23 saves on 25 shots, giving her a save percentage of .920. In the first period, there was not many high-danger scoring chances. However, she was able to track the puck and get into her set stance swiftly. In the waning minute of the period, Oswego State could not get the puck out of the zone, but Madrigal stood strong making a handful of good saves.

The second period was a lot busier for Madrigal as the Lakers had to play nearly six minutes shorthanded. She gave up one goal in the frame where she made the initial save, but the rebound was banged home by Courtney Moriarity. Madrigal did everything she could, and then some, but the Cardinal’s persistence paid off. Madrigal had a great save later in the second when Moriarity had a two-on-one with Melissa Sheeran. Madrigal was sliding post-to-post, and managed to trap the puck which nearly trickled through the five-hole.

Madrigal made a few key saves in the third, despite giving up a power play goal. With 5:38 left in the game, she dove across the crease to stop the puck. She got a piece of it and managed to glove the puck away from the goal before it slid across the goal line. Later in the frame when the Lakers were shorthanded, Sheeran accepted a pass from across the slot and she fired it short-side. Overall, Madrigal made the saves Oswego State needed to stay in the game, and the Lakers ended up with the tie.

Special Teams: C

Although the Lakers power play went 0-4 on the day, they had some decent chances. Oswego State did an excellent job supporting the puck carrier through the neutral zone and during board battles. Because of that, the team managed to get a handful of shots, especially from the point. The Lakers had a prime opportunity in the fourth frame as they had a power play for the last 1:37. Despite having possession for a majority of the time, the Lakers could not get much going. By the end of the game, Kate Randazzo and the rest of the power play had a handful of shots go wide.

The penalty kill was put to the test often in the second period. They gave up two goals on five attempts over 65 minutes. The Lakers successfully killed off over 1:13 of five-on-three play, but gave up their first goal while down two players. Even though they gave up a goal five-on-three, their play was fairly successful. The Lakers kept a tight triangle formation and had active sticks. The goal they gave up was in tight where the Lakers were outnumbered. Later in the game, the penalty kill did an excellent job maintaining their position and tracking their assignments as they skated through their routes in the Oswego State zone. The only time they really lost their assignment was on the final kill of the night. Sheeran was left alone in the left circle and Oswego State could not get a stick in the passing lane to make the chance tougher for her.