Oswego State hits the road again this weekend to take on Buffalo State in western New York. This will be the first time the two teams have met since last years NEWHL semifinals, where Oswego State won 5-0 to advance to the NEWHL championship game. During the regular season, the Bengals had the edge, winning three out of four games. But, these two teams present very different storylines.

As has been talked about all year, the Lakers have 11 new players on their roster this season. But Buffalo State had a large roster turnover as well. The Bengals lost 7 of their top 8 scorers from last year and their head coach.

Jim Fowler was announced as the Buffalo State interim head coach for this season, but the Bengals will look for a full-time replacement immediately following the end of this season. Fowler previously coached the Bengals’ men’s hockey team from 1996 to 2005. Following that, Fowler became the rink manager and department budget manager for Buffalo State. Fowler has the Bengals off to a 2-1-1 record.

Even with the rosters being different, this should be a fun and interesting matchup. Both teams have gotten off to good starts, but Buffalo State presents the first real challenge for the Lakers.

Last Time Out

Oswego State

The Lakers have had two full weeks to prepare for this Buffalo State series. Two weeks ago, Oswego State beat Wilkes University, 5-0, to improve its record to 2-0. The game consisted of two first period goals and three goals in the final period. Philomena Teggart, Avery Webster, Kate Randazzo, and Annika Neufeld-Kreider all notched their second goals of the season. Freshman Hannah Lindey started in net for the Lakers and earned a shutout win in her first career game. Freshman Cassie Shokar started the night before against King’s College. Transfer Rachael Farmer has yet to see ice time this season, but that could change this weekend as the Lakers enter league play.

Buffalo State

The Bengals defeated SUNY Potsdam 3-1 to split the weekend series. Senior Emma Ruggiero netted two more goals to bring her season total to five, which now leads the NEWHL. Buffalo State struggled heavily in the faceoff circle, losing 41-16 in terms of faceoffs won. Goaltender Bri Gawronski stopped 27 of 28 shots, improving her save percentage to .924 this season. She has started every game so far for the Bengals. Buffalo State will have to give her more protection this weekend, as Gawronski has been peppered with 119 shots in only 4 games.

By The Numbers

Record (Conference)

OSW: 2-0-0 (0-0-0)

BUF: 2-1-1 (1-1-0)

Goals (Per Game)

OSW: 15 (7.5)

BUF: 9 (2.3)

Shots (Per Game)

OSW: 133 (66.5)

BUF: 96 (24.0)

Power Play (Percentage)

OSW: 2-8 (25.0%)

BUF: 1-18 (5.6%)

Keys to the Game

Oswego State

The glaring key to the game for the Lakers will be capitalizing on the power play. It was not as important in the two blowout wins to start the season, but that will have to change as they begin league play. Buffalo State has committed 17 penalties to start the season. The Bengals play aggressive, and it shows in their penalty minutes. The Lakers’ power play unit will see a lot of time on the ice this weekend, and converting on it will lead to wins. Sara Cruise and Emma Morisette have netted the Lakers’ two power play goals this season. Look for them to create more issues down low, with veteran defenseman Kate Randazzo feeding from the point.

Buffalo State

The Bengals have struggled in the faceoff circle this year, which has led to many opponents chances. Buffalo State has only won 36.4 percent of faceoffs this season. On the other end, Oswego State has won 62.2 percent. The Bengals cannot afford to lose this much in the circle. The faceoff woes have led to the Bengals being outshot 119-96 this season. Bri Gawronski has been solid in net, but with the number of shots the Lakers have put on the net, it could be a long day between the pipes.

Players to Watch

OSW: Eryn Stewart

Stewart leads the team with six points through its first two games. Those six points have come evenly with three goals and three assists. The junior has already scored more goals this season than in all of last season. She has been a spark for the Lakers offense, and that spark will be needed as league play begins.

BUF: Emma Ruggiero

Ruggiero has put up at least one point in each of the Bengals first four games. This has come via five goals and an assist. Ruggiero was the only scorer in the top eight for points returning from last season, a year where she put up 12 points. With a lot of young pieces around her, the senior has stepped up big time. The Bengals will need another big weekend from Ruggiero if they are to pick up a win or two against Oswego State.

Final Thoughts

With so much roster turnover, it is difficult to know how this weekend’s series will go. The Lakers have struggled to beat Buffalo State, especially on the road in the regular season. But with head coach Diane Dillon and multiple players going back to their hometown, the crowd should have some green and gold representing.

The Lakers have also yet to be challenged this season. Their first road trip of the season yielded a 2-0 record and a 15-1 scoring output. League play is always a whole new game, especially against a NEWHL rival. Oswego State has to be able to capitalize on the Bengals’ mistakes and match their level of aggression.

Tonight’s game will give us a much easier read on Oswego State’s end. The Bengals struggled against a SUNY Potsdam team that went 4-10-2 in league play last season. With the Lakers’ young core mixed with veteran leadership, they should take care of business this weekend. Look for a fast start and a tough finish en route to a Lakers road victory.

Photo: Maria Pericozzi | The Oswegonian