After a 4-2 win against Hobart College Nov. 10, the No. 3/5 Oswego State men’s ice hockey team is taking on SUNY Fredonia at the Blue Devils’ rink for the Lakers’ first weekend series where both games will be away.

Last Time Out

Oswego State

Following a two-win weekend against SUNY Canton (6-2) and Hobart College (4-2), Oswego State now sits at 3-0-0 (1-0-0 SUNYAC) heading into tonight’s game against SUNY Fredonia. Michael Gillespie had a four-point weekend (1g, 3a) to lead the Lakers. Anthony Passero (2g, 1a), Travis Broughman (1g, 2a) and Derek Brown (3a) all had three points.

The game against Hobart College was very physical, with a lot of strong hitting. Julien Denicourt of the Statesmen got called for a five-minute boarding penalty as well as a game misconduct after hitting Mitch Emerson into the boards. Passero led all forwards with two points (1g, 1a). Broughman also had a multi-point night after posting two assists. Aaron Huffnagle, Jody Sullivan and Emerson all registered a goal, as well. David Richer, in his second game of the regular season, made 12 saves and allowed two goals, and now has a 2-0-0 record.

SUNY Fredonia

The Blue Devils (3-1-0, 1-1-0 SUNYAC) only had one game last weekend against Bryn Athyn College during SUNY Fredonia’s stroke awareness game. The Blue Devils won 5-1, and now have won back-to-back games after a 3-1 win against The College at Brockport on Nov. 3.

Jacob Haynes led all scorers with three points (2g, 1a) against the Lions, and Charlie Manley (1g, 1a) and Ethan Kirbis (2a) both tallied two points in the game. Two of the Blue Devils’ goals came off the power play, going 2-5 on the night. Goalie Anton Rosen stopped 25 of 26 shots, including two nine-save periods in the first and third.

Lakers and Blue Devils History

The Blue Devils most likely leave a bad taste in the Lakers’ mouths after last season. SUNY Fredonia upset No. 1 Oswego State in the second round of the 2018 SUNYAC Championships at the Marano Campus Center Ice Arena in a 3-1 loss. The two teams also met twice in the regular season. Oswego State won both games. The first game at the Marano Campus Center Ice Arena after a 5-3 win, and the second game at SUNY Fredonia after a 5-0 win.

Since 1987, the Lakers have a 46-27-4 record against the Blue Devils. On the road, Oswego State boasts a 20-16-2 record. Before the loss in the second round of the SUNYACs, the last time SUNY Fredonia came out on top against Oswego State was in 2013 after a 3-2 victory in Oswego. That same season, the Lakers were the runner-ups in the NCAA Div. III National Championships.

By the Numbers

RECORD (conference) [vs. each other]

OSW: 3-0-0 (1-0-0) [46-27-4]

FRE: 3-1-0 (1-1-0) [27-46-4]

GOALS (per game)

OSW: 14 (4.7)

FRE: 16 (4.0)

SHOTS (per game)

OSW: 94 (31.3)

FRE: 136 (34.0)

POWER PLAY (percentage)

OSW: 6-18 (33.3%)

FRE: 4-17 (23.5%)

Players to Watch

OSW: Michael Gillespie

After a lot of shots going wide and just getting stopped by opposing goaltenders, Gillespie was finally able to find the back of the net against in the game against SUNY Canton. He was also able to contribute two assists against the Roos and add another helper against Hobart College. The junior now has five points on the season. After scoring 24 points last season, which was third on the team, Gillespie will now look to get back to where he was last season and rack up the goals.

FRE: Jacob Haynes

Haynes was a thorn in the Lakers’ side last season, registering three points against Oswego State last season, including the second goal of SUNY Fredonia’s three goals during the game. He also has registered five goals this season, including two against Bryn Athyn College on Nov. 9. He has also remained extremely disciplined, committing no penalties this season, so far.

Prediction

After riding some momentum between a top-10 matchup between Oswego State and Hobart College, the Lakers are looking to come out firing and keep their streak intact. This is also the start of a tougher road trip, heading to western New York for the games against the Blue Devils and Buffalo State on Nov. 17. As head coach Ed Gosek has said during weekly interviews, there are no games that should be taken for granted, and this weekend is no different.

SUNY Fredonia does have one more game played than the Lakers, but that should not come into effect at all throughout the contest. However, the Blue Devils have seen a couple other SUNYAC teams, including SUNY Geneseo and The College at Brockport.

The biggest concern potentially comes mentally, as the Lakers are taking on the team that upset them in the playoffs. But, with a new season and a lot of the repeated “scoring by committee,” the Lakers should have a strong foothold in the game. David Richer will be playing tonight, after a win against Hobart College last weekend. Cedric Hansen could see ice time against Buffalo State tomorrow.

Following the breakouts of Derek Brown, Anthony Passero and Michael Gillespie, more players have been on the offensive force, bringing positive outlooks for the Lakers. However, some players like Cameron Berry, who is out with a hip injury, have not returned to the ice yet. Berry will likely be out against the Bengals, as well. SUNY Fredonia has a lot of players up there in the points, with the widespread scoring as well, highlighted by Jacob Haynes.

No. 3/5 Oswego State (3-0-0, 1-0-0 SUNYAC) will get the loosely-used term “revenge” against SUNY Fredonia (3-1-0, 1-1-0 SUNYAC), and come away with a 5-3 win at the Steele Hall Arena.

Photo: Greg Tavani | The Oswegonian