For the second SUNYAC meeting of the season, No. 3/3 Oswego State (15-3-1, 8-2-0 SUNYAC) will host SUNY Fredonia (11-4-4, 5-3-2 SUNYAC). The Blue Devils won the first matchup at the Steele Hall Ice Arena by a score of 3-2 on Nov. 16, 2018.

Last Time Out 

Oswego State

To wrap up the winter break schedule, the Lakers hosted Morrisville State for a back-to-back weekend on Jan. 25 and 26. Oswego State won 2-1 the first game, and also took the second game 7-2. Anthony Passero had a four-point weekend with two goals and two assists. Joseph Molinaro was not far behind after posting a three-point game (1g, 2a) in the second game against the Mustangs. Following the second win over Morrisville State, the Lakers are now riding a four-game win streak since tying Utica College on Jan. 12.

The top-two Laker goaltenders split time, with Cedric Hansen playing the first game, making nine saves on 10 shots. David Richer allowed two goals on 16 shots during his game. Oswego State threw 77 shots on net throughout the game against Morrisville State’s goaltenders.

SUNY Fredonia

The Blue Devils also wrapped up their winter break with a SUNYAC weekend facing Buffalo State on Jan. 25 and 26. The first game was at SUNY Fredonia while the Bengals hosted the second game. The two teams tied during the first matchup 4-4, and SUNY Fredonia fell 3-1 at Buffalo State. Jacob Morgan (1g, 2a), Charlie Manley (3a) and Jacob Haynes (3a) all had three-point weekends.

Anton Rosen made 34 saves in the tie for SUNY Fredonia, and Eric Bogart made 27 saves during his lone appearance in the weekend.

Oswego State Update

Due to previous time conflicts and constraints, The Oswegonian has not been able to get a men’s gameday preview out since the Utica College game on January 11. Since that game, there have been a couple more updates regarding players on the roster. Freshman Robert Clerc, who did not see action in the entire season, left Oswego State and transferred to SUNYAC rival SUNY Potsdam. The Lakers will see Clerc again on Feb. 15 when Oswego State takes its annual north-country trip to SUNY Potsdam and Plattsburgh State. Clerc has two goals in three games with the Bears.

However, the Lakers have added a new defenseman in Jeff Solow, a junior transfer from NCAA Div. I Merrimack College. Before reaching the collegiate level, Solow was in the NAHL. While at Merrimack College, Solow played in 13 games in his two-and-a-half years but registered no points. He played three games his freshman year and none his sophomore year. The Naples, Florida, native registered his first collegiate point on Jan. 26 against Morrisville State after registering an assist in the 7-2 win for Oswego State.

A Look at SUNY Fredonia

Since the Blue Devils’ 3-2 win over the Lakers earlier in the season on Nov. 16, they have gone 7-3-4. This past week, SUNY Fredonia fell out of both the USCHO and D3Hockey.com polls. It was ranked No. 14/15 in NCAA Div. III hockey, respectively.

Along with Jacob Haynes’ three-point weekend against Buffalo State, he leads the team with 17 points (7g, 10a). Not far behind is Victor Tracy with 15 points (7g, 8a). Haynes’ 10 assists are team-leading. For the goal category, Luke Rivera leads the team with nine, but he also leads the team in penalty minutes with 26.

Eric Bogart (12 GP) and Anton Rosen (7 GP) have seen pretty even action time this season. Bogart played in the first SUNYAC game against the Lakers this season. He also leads the two goaltenders with a .932 save percentage and a 2.21 goals against average, along with a shutout. Rosen has .915 save percentage and a 2.78 goals against average.

Brief History between Lakers and Blue Devils

It has been talked about a lot, but the Blue Devils ended the Lakers’ run into the SUNYAC playoffs last season in the second round after the Blue Devils won at the Marano Campus Center Ice Arena. It was pushed even heavier after SUNY Fredonia won again earlier this season 3-2.

In the most recent game, Carter Allen (Max Novick, Derek Brown) and Tyler Currie (Josh Zizek, Devin Campbell) both scored for the Lakers. Currie’s goal was short-handed. Brandon Spognardi (Victor Tracy, Josh Biasillo), Todd Schauss (Jasp. Korican-Barlay) and Ethan Kirbis (Ryan Dunner, Tracy) all scored for the Blue Devils. Kirbis’s goal was both on the power-play and the game-winner at 6:53 of the third period. David Richer made 20 saves, compared to Eric Bogarts’s 22.

However, Oswego State still boasts a strong 46-28-4 record over SUNY Fredonia since 1987. The Blue Devils are on a two-game win streak over the Lakers.

By the Numbers

RECORD (conference) [against each other]

OSW: 15-3-1 (8-2-0) [46-28-4]

FRE: 11-4-4 (5-3-2) [28-46-4]

GOALS (per game)

OSW: 79 (4.2)

FRE: 56 (2.95)

SHOTS (per game)

OSW: 588 (30.9)

FRE: 598 (31.5)

POWER PLAY (percentage)

OSW: 24-91 (26.4%)

FRE: 21-74 (28.4%)

Players to Watch

OSW: Anthony Passero

Now tied for the team-lead in points with 20, alongside Michael Gillespie and Josh Zizek, Passero posted a four-point weekend against Morrisville State on Jan. 25 and 26, tallying two goals and two assists. Passero has been a strong playmaker all season, especially on a line with Gillespie and Travis Broughman — two players who are big scorers. Passero leads the team with 12 assists this season. Passero is centering the second line for Oswego State tonight.

FRE: Eric Bogart

Bogart is getting the start tonight against the Lakers, as he did earlier in the season when he made 22 saves en route to the 3-2 win. Bogart currently has an 8-2-1 record this season, allowing 2.21 goals per game on average. The senior goaltender will be pain for Oswego State in tonight’s game, and the Lakers will have to find a way around him in order to take this one to at least split the season series with the Blue Devils.

Lines (provided by Oswego State and SUNY Fredonia)

Oswego State

Forwards

No. 93 : Josh LeBlanc | No. 13 : Josh Zizek | No. 7 : Tanner Spink

No. 16 : Michael Gillespie | No. 11 : Anthony Passero | No. 28 : Travis Broughman

No. 8 : Derek Brown | No. 9 : Mitch Emerson | No. 19 : Joseph Molinaro

No. 14 : Jody Sullivan | No. 10 : Cameron Berry | No. 27 : Josh Nenadal

Defense

No. 6 : Tyler Currie | No. 2 : Carter Allen

No. 20 : Max Novick | No. 4 : Devin Campbell

No. 21 : Josh Solow | No. 22 : Chris MacMillan

Goaltenders

No. 31 : David Richer

No. 20 : Cedric Hansen

No. 33 : Steven Kozikoski

Extra Skater

No. 15 : Joey Scorpio

Scratches: Tyler Antonucci, Charlie Pelnik, A.J. D’Orazio, Michael McArthur, Kristoffer Brun, Colton Fletcher, Thomas Horn, Ryan Bunka, Tyson Kirkby

SUNY Fredonia

Forwards

No. 6 : Jacob Haynes | No. 28 : Josh Biasillo | No. 22 : Jimmy Morgan

No. 24 : Tyler Riter | No. 18 :Ethan Kirbis | No. 19 : Victor Tracy

No. 26 : Colin Valentine | No. 16 : Ryan Dunn | No. 21 : Bobby Polachek

No. 7 : Todd Schauss | No. 10 : Jasper Korican-Barley | No. 23 : Luke Rivera

Defense 

No. 5 : Charlie Manley | No. 15 : Max Blitz

No. 4 : Jon Carlson | No. 27 : Tommy Martyn

No. 25 : Brandon Spognardi | No. 20 : Mike Freeman

Goaltenders

No. 1 : Eric Bogart

No. 31 : Anton Rosen

No. 30 : Ryan Pascarella

Extra Skater

No. 29 : Ryan Rosenberg

Scratches: Chandler Judd, Matt Letmanski, Ryan Dunner, Tanner Kahlau, Eric Hirschhaut, Hugo Gamache, Matthew Goeree, Kyle Jelinski

Prediction

SUNY Fredonia has won the two previous games against the Lakers, between the playoffs last season as well as the most recent game 3-2 earlier this season. How the Lakers handle Bogart, as well as top scorers in Jacob Haynes (7g, 11a — 18p) and Victor Tracy (7g, 8a — 15p), will be the true test.

For the Lakers, if the second line of Michael Gillespie, Travis Broughman and Anthony Passero can all perform, it should be interesting. That line has two top goal-scorers as well as a great playmaker in Passero, which could be crucial. If the Lakers’ power play gets any opportunities tonight, with the 26.4 percent conversion rate, special teams could also be key in the game against the Blue Devils.

For a prediction, the game will go into overtime, with SUNY Fredonia coming out on top 3-2 again.