The Potsdam Bears upset the No. 3/4 Oswego State Lakers 1-0 to hand the Lakers their first conference loss of the season. Potsdam goalie Brendan McMenimen saved all 42 shots he faced and shutout the Lakers for the first time since Jan. 25, 2014 against Buffalo State.
Early in the first period Laker forward Trent Durocher was called for a high stick at the 3:31 mark. Six seconds later Potsdam’s Joey Gilhooly scored a power play goal to put the Bears up 1-0.
Later in the first, the Lakers got their first power play opportunity of the night when Jake Martin was sent to the box for hitting after the whistle. Potsdam ended up successfully killing that power play chance for Oswego State.
The Lakers controlled the puck for most of the first period, but failed to find the back of the net. Potsdam goalie Brendan McMenimen saved 16 shots in the first period stopping every Laker shot that came his way.
With 4:45 remaining in the first period, the Lakers got another chance on the powerplay when Brett Horn was called for hooking. McMenimen and the Bears stopped another scoring opportunity for the Lakers and took a 1-0 lead into the intermission.
Less than a minute into the second period, Oswego State captain Mitch Herlihey was sent to the penalty box for kneeing. However, Potsdam failed to capitalize on the man advantage keeping the deficit to 1 for the Lakers.
Soon after the Bears power play expired, Oswego State went on a power play of their own when Sean Winikates was sent to the box for high sticking. Although the Lakers got some shots on goal, they still couldn’t get past McMenimen on the man advantage.
The Lakers best chance of the night to this point came at 9:07 of the second period. Kyle Thacker and goalie Brendan McMenimen were called for 2 minute penalties to give Oswego State a 5-3 power play. Potsdam stopped Oswego State on the power play once again to keep their lead at 1-0.
Oswego State’s Tanner Spink and Potsdam’s Kyle Thacker both started the third period in the box. Spink was called for interference and Thacker for roughing. Neither team scored on the 4-4 with both teams returning to full strength.
With 13:46 remaining in regulation, Cameron Berry was called for goalie interference giving the Bears their 4th power play of the night. Oswego State successfully killed the power play to keep themselves within striking distance midway through the third period.
The Lakers got their 6th opportunity on the man advantage with Potsdam’s Bryce Ferrell going to the box for high sticking at 12:59 of the third. The Potsdam penalty kill was on fire all night as Oswego State could not get past goalie Brendan McMenimen who led the Bears to a 1-0 victory.
The Lakers look to bounce back against rival Plattsburgh State tomorrow night Feb. 17 at the Marano Campus Center to close out the regular season.
