Last Time Out

The Oswego State Lakers took a victory on senior day against SUNY Potsdam by a score of 4-2. Despite recognition going to seven seniors for their commitment to the program, the underclassmen were the primary reason for the win. Philomena Teggart, Natale Giglio and Victoria Rankin all scored. Sarah Grupp was the lone senior to put a goal on the scoresheet. Mariah Madrigal had a 25-save performance, including 17 saves in the third period.

The Buffalo State Bengals closed their regular season with a loss to Plattsburgh State with a final score of 4-1. Rachel Lenard had the lone goal for the Bengals in the loss. Erin Gehen led the team with five shots, three of which came in the second period. Despite the loss, Justine Silva made 31 saves in net. The team suffered two power play goals on seven attempts and went 0-3 on the power play.

Looking at the Bengals

The Buffalo State Bengals are the No. 2 seed heading into the NEWHL semifinals against the Lakers. In the regular season, the Bengals went 13-10-2 in the regular season with a 9-6-1 conference record.

Justin Silva, Buffalo State’s starting goaltender, has played and started in 15 games this season and posted a 7-7-1 record. She has also been named the NEWHL Goaltender of the Week multiple times this season. The senior has a mere 1.76 goals against average for the season.

Erin Gehen and Rachel Lenard, a former Laker, lead the team with 18 and 17 points, respectively. Gehen has a team-leading 12 goals but has not scored a goal since Feb. 3 against SUNY Cortland. Lenard has a team-leading eight assists.

A notable player for the Bengals is Christine Harris, who leads the team in penalties with 32, resulting in 64 penalty minutes. There have been only seven games this season where Harris has not committed a penalty in the game.

Last season in the playoffs, the Bengals lost in the ECAC West semifinals to Elmira College 6-0 after a 4-0 win over No. 4 SUNY Potsdam.

Lakers vs. Bengals Season / Playoff History

The Lakers and Bengals have been conference rivals since the 2006-2007 season, both in the ECAC West and now the newly formed NEWHL. This season, Buffalo State holds a 3-1 advantage against the Lakers this season.

Rachel Lenard has three goals in the four games against the Lakers this season, and Natasha Steinle has two goals and an assist. Justine Silva has a 1.25 goals against average against Oswego State including a shutout on Jan. 27 at the Buffalo State Ice Arena.

For the Lakers, Olivia Ellis has a goal and two assists against the Bengals, while Kate Randazzo has contributed a goal and assist against them, as well. Mariah Madrigal has allowed an average of two goals per game including a shutout on Nov. 11.

Both teams have faced each other twice in the playoffs with the Lakers pulling away both times. During the 2013-2014 season, the Lakers won 3-1 and then during the 2015-2016 season, Oswego State shutout the Bengals 5-0.

By the Numbers

RECORD (vs. each other) [conference]

OSW: 11-12-2 (18-9-1) [7-8-1]

BUF: 13-10-2 (9-18-1) [9-6-1]

GOALS (per game) [against each other this season]

OSW: 57 (2.3) [5 / 1.25]

BUF: 54 (2.2) [8 / 2.0]

SHOTS (per game) [against each other this season]

OSW: 755 (30.2) [100 / 25.0]

BUF: 735 (29.4) [108 / 27.0]

POWER PLAY (percentage) [against each other this season]

OSW: 14-106 (13.2%) [1-14 / 7.1%]

BUF: 10-99 (10.1%) [1-15 / 6.7%]

Prediction

The Lakers have a strong playoff history against the Bengals with the two games in recent history, one of which eight players on the current roster remember for Oswego State. The season record, however, is not as good as the Lakers and head coach Diane Dillon would like it.

During the week, Dillon said they had a chip on their shoulder coming into the season, and also know that they can beat the Bengals. This could be one of the closest games between the two teams this season, given the new atmosphere of the playoffs.

Oswego State has a slight advantage on goals and power play percentage, which could aid them given the status of the Bengals’ penalty killing. The Lakers have a lot more depth as well, with several players totalling at least 10 points this season.

Buffalo State has the advantage of Justine Silva, one of the top goaltenders in the Northeast Women’s Hockey League, which could prove difficult for the Lakers. Silva has a .937 save percentage coming into the game against the Lakers.

Buffalo State wins 4-3.