The No. 6/7 Oswego State Lakers take on the No. 5/11 Hobart College Statesmen Nov. 10 for the Lakers’ second game of the weekend. Oswego State is 2-0-0 (1-0-0 SUNYAC) while Hobart College is 3-1-0 (1-1-0 NEHC). The game will also serve as the Military Appreciation Night for the Lakers.

Last Time Out

Oswego State

The Lakers are facing the challenge of a quick turnaround after a road trip to SUNY Canton on Nov. 9. Oswego State pulled away with a 6-2 victory after 12 players registered at least one point in the victory. Tyler Currie had three assists and Josh Zizek netted two goals. Cedric Hansen played in his first game of the season, stopping 15 shots.

Oswego State went 3-7 on the power play and gave up one goal on the two penalties it had to kill. Reigning SUNYAC Rookie of the Week Travis Broughman scored his third goal of the season for his fourth point in just two games.

Hobart College

Hobart College will be rested with no game on the Friday night before the game against the Lakers. The Statesmen’ last game was against now-No. 8 Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont. They lost to the Cadets 3-1 for the Statesmen’ first loss of the season. Matt Pizzo scored the lone goal on the power play for his first goal of the season.

Alexander Connal made 27 saves in the game, stopping nine shots each period. Hobart College had five power play opportunities but was not successful on any of them. The Statesmen went 3-4 on the penalty kill.

Lakers and Statesmen History

Oswego State and Hobart College have faced each other 40 times since Oct. 30, 1979. The Lakers boast a 34-4-2 over the Statesmen and a 19-1-1 record while at home. Last season, Hobart College won 2-1 in overtime at The Cooler in Geneva. It was the first time the Statesmen won since 2010.

In the game last season, Cameron Berry scored the Lakers’ lone goal, assisted by Mitchell Herlihey and Michael Gillespie to tie the game with a little more than a minute remaining in the second period. The Statesmen scored a goal 52 seconds into overtime to seal the win. Hansen made 25 saves in the game while Connal made 18.

By the Numbers

RECORD (conference) [vs. each other]

OSW: 2-0-0 (1-0-0) [34-4-2]

HOB: 3-1-0 (1-1-0) [4-34-2]

GOALS (per game)

OSW: 10 (5.0)

HOB: 17 (4.3)

SHOTS (per game)

OSW: 71 (35.5)

HOB: 145 (36.3)

POWER PLAY (percentage)

OSW: 5-14 (35.7%)

HOB: 6-20 (30.0%)

Players to Watch

OSW: Josh Zizek

Josh Zizek had an outbreak season during his sophomore year, registering 31 points (13g, 18a). Now an assistant captain with added responsibility, Zizek is trying to match his performance from last season. While it is only the second game of the season, it did take him that game to get his “ice-legs” back. He scored two goals in the game against SUNY Canton, and is now second on the team in goals. His leadership will be key in a crucial matchup against another top-10 team.

HOB: Jonas Toupal

Jonas Toupal leads the team in points this season with seven (5g, 2a). He led the team last year in points (15-17–32) and was second during his sophomore season (5-20–25). While it is a new season, the Lakers should keep on eye on him after last season, when he scored both the opening and game-winning goal during the Statesmen’ victory in overtime.

Lines (provided by Oswego State athletics)

Forwards

No. 16 : Michael Gillespie | No. 13 : Josh Zizek | No. 8 : Derek Brown

No. 7 : Tanner Spink | No. 11 : Anthony Passero | No. 28 : Travis Broughman

No. 19 : Joseph Molinaro | No. 9 : Mitch Emerson | No. 21 : Aaron Huffnagle

No. 27 : Josh Nenedal | No. 93 : Josh LeBlanc | No. 14 : Jody Sullivan

Extra Skater: No. 15 : Joey Scorpio

Defense

No. 4 : Devin Campbell | No. 6 : Tyler Currie

No. 2 : Carter Allen | No. 20 : Max Novick

No. 3 : Tyler Antonucci | No. 24 : Kristoffer Brun

Goalies

No. 31 : David Richer

No. 30 : Cedric Hansen

No. 33 : Steven Kozikoski

Scratches: Charlie Pelnik, Cameron Berry, A.J. D’Orazio, Michael McArthur, Tyson Bruce, Chris MacMillan, Jesse Farabee, Colton Fletcher, Thomas Horn, Ryan Bunka, Robert Clerc, Tyson Kirkby

Prediction

A big part to this season’s Laker and Statesmen matchup compared to last season is that, at least for the Lakers, the game is not an emotional one. In 2017, the night before the Hobart College game, Oswego State faced Elmira College during its annual TEAL game. It was the first time Mary Gosek, head coach Ed Gosek’s wife, was not at the game after a long battle with ovarian cancer. It was an emotional toll on the team, according to Gosek. But, this season, it was just a normal game the night before.

This game, nonetheless, will be an intense one, with both teams being ranked a top-10 team by USCHO. The Lakers are also in the top 10 according to d3hockey, whereas the Statesmen are ranked No. 11. With the game being at the Marano Campus Center Ice Arena this season, along with the added student section, it should give the Lakers an advantage.

David Richer is playing his second game of the season after a SUNYAC win in his first game against SUNY Cortland. In general, the lines are remaining the same. The only differences are the change in starting goaltender, which was expected due to the back-to-back situation, Colton Fletcher (who played on last night’s fourth line) was replaced by Jody Sullivan, and Joey Scorpio is the game’s extra skater compared to Ryan Bunka against SUNY Canton. Given what the game saw last night, there should be good offensive pressure from the Lakers.

There has been strong scoring from the Lakers, between the first and second line of forwards – especially Zizek and Broughman. The real test, now, will be if those same players can score in the same fashion against a team of equal stature. This game will be close, no doubt.

Lakers win in overtime 3-2.

Photo: Maria Pericozzi | The Oswegonian