The Oswego State Lakers took on the Buffalo State Bengals for the inaugural Northeast Women’s Hockey League playoffs. The Lakers were victorious over the Bengals after a 5-0 win at the Buffalo State Ice Arena. Oswego State now moves on to face the Plattsburgh State Cardinals in the NEWHL championship game.

The Oswego State Lakers took the overpowering role in the first period with three goals in the first 20 minutes.

With 17:48 left in the first period, Madeline Kromer was called for a tripping penalty. The Lakers could not convert, and the penalty was killed leaving the game scoreless.

After forcing a turnover, Jean-Marie Padden scored through the five-hole of Justine Silva at 5:28. The goal was unassisted to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead.

Four minutes Laker, Olivia Ellis scored after Andrea Noss forced another turnover. Noss attempted the wraparound goal, but Silva could not hold on to the puck. Ellis grabbed the puck and put it past Silva at 9:24. Noss was the only assist on the goal.

At 10:30 of the first period,Noss scored her eighth goal of the season after some commotion in front of the net. Julieann White and Victoria Blake were credited with the assists. Buffalo State’s head coach Jennifer Wilson called a timeout after the third goal for the Lakers.

Katie Mlostek was called for a hooking penalty at 12:24 of the opening period. After numerous blocked shots and interceptions, the Lakers were able to kill that penalty to leave the game at 3-0.

Courtney Cavalrello was given a minor penalty at 17:53 for tripping up Emma Morisette in the Lakers’ offensive zone. The Lakers were unsuccessful during the man-advantage, and Buffalo State was able to kill the penalty.

The Lakers added another goal to increase their lead on the Buffalo State Bengals during the second period to lead 4-0 at the end of 40 minutes.

Padden was called for roughing at 3:43 of the second period. Buffalo State could not convert before Brooke Krantz was called for slashing Eryn Stewart’s stick out of her hands at 4:55. Both teams were able to kill their penalties with no goals added to the total.

Blake, at 7:47, was called for boarding. Mariah Madrigal was able to control the rebounds during the penalty, and the Lakers returned to full strength still shutting out the Bengals.

At 9:51, sophomore Madison Byrne was given a holding penalty. After a strong forecheck, and the athletic efforts of Padden, the Lakers were, once again, successful on the penalty kill.

Cheyenne Matson was called for tripping Morisette behind the Bengals’ net at the end boards at 11:30. A little less than a minute into the power play, Ellis scored her second goal of the game and 10th of the season after a cross-ice pass from Laura Thacker. White was given the secondary assist on the Lakers’ first power play goal.

Oswego State was able to tack on

Jordan Emerson was called for an interference penalty with 16:07 remaining after a lot of Bengal offensive zone time. The Lakers were successful, and Padden scored her second of the game, as well at 4:37. Her shorthanded goal was unassisted, again.

Natasha Steinle was called for a body-check late in the game, putting the Lakers on the power play. With 1:36 remaining, White got called for a trip to put the game at 4-on-4. Buffalo State killed their penalty. Oswego State killed their penalty to close out the game.

The Lakers (12-12-2, 8-8-1) now travel to Plattsburgh State (22-2-2, 16-0-1) to take on the Cardinals in the NEWHL championship game. The Cardinals defeated SUNY Potsdam 6-1 in the other NEWHL semifinal game on Feb. 24.