What To Look For

The College at Brockport currently sits in fourth place in the SUNYAC with 11 points, but there is a caveat. They have played 14 conference games so far, more than the two teams trailing them. This game against No. 4/4 Oswego State becomes must win when considering the likelihood that a loss will end their playoff hopes.

Complacency?

Oswego State captain Mitch Herlihey, who scored his 100th career point in a 4-2 victory of No. 7/7 SUNY Geneseo last night, talked post game about how the Lakers learned over winter break that one bad game can become a string of bad games. Now that the team has learned their lesson, do not expect Oswego State to take their foot off the gas despite clinching home ice throughout the playoffs last night.

Lineup Card

OSW

Offense

Herlihey-Zizek-Gillespie

Huffnagle-Emerson-D’Orazio

Molinaro-Berry-Bruce

Sullivan-Durocher-Scorpio

Defense

Currie-Campbell

MacMillan-Pelink

Allen-Novick

Goalies

Richer

Hansen

Nolan

BPT

Offense

Gentzler-Kielich-Solat

Horan-Shapiro-Laslo

Verbeke-Hutchins-Sikich

Rock-Meredith-Bennett

Defense

Bass-Winn

Hurlmann-McMartin

Carville-Romeo

Goalies

Schneider

Moore

Lincoln

Players to Watch

OSW- Michael Gillespie

Gillespie has been on the cusp of breaking out for a few games now. Each contest, it is easy to see that the Ohio State transfer has a natural scoring ability, but he has yet to dominate. With his linemate Herlihey getting the 100 point monkey off his back and the top seed clinched for the playoffs, maybe Gillespie will start to feel more free on the ice and start putting up bigger numbers.

BPT- Zac Sikich

Sikich leads all Golden Eagles in shots by a margin of 21 and a total of 93. That accumulates to over 4 shots per contest. Though Oswego State has been so successful this year largely due to their goaltending, getting shots on net is the most efficient way to score. The senior also has ten goals on the season, so look for Sikich to give the Lakers defense fits tonight.

Prediction

The Golden Eagles are going to come out hungry and full of energy to put a statement win over a top five ranked team on home ice to try and guarantee a ticket to the playoffs. None of that will matter. Oswego State is so much more talented than their counterparts. This appears to be a classic trap game, but the comments of the Lakers captain following last night’s game make it pretty difficult to think they will lose focus. Expect Oswego State to weather the storm early and turn on the jets when the Golden Eagles start to gas.

Oswego State wins 7-2.