In its final game of the regular season, No. 3/3 Oswego State will take on Plattsburgh State to finish up the final north country trip of the season. The Lakers are 18-4-2 (11-3-1 SUNYAC) coming into the matchup, while the Cardinals are 11-11-2 (9-5-1 SUNYAC). The Lakers are on a one-game win streak, while the Cardinals are on a three-game.

Last Time Out

Oswego State

With its win against SUNY Potsdam last night by a score of 3-2, Oswego State clinched the second seed in the SUNYAC, which means it will host the semifinal game of the playoffs on Feb. 23. The Lakers jumped out to a 3-0 lead before surrendering two goals in last half of the game. David Richer made 28 saves in net, including 15 in the third period. The Lakers threw 33 shots on net throughout the game.

Tanner Spink and Josh Zizek both scored on the power play, which went 2-3 on the night. Josh Nenadal scored the opening goal. Max Novick, however, lead all point-scorers with three assists. Anthony Passero contributed two assists of his own. In the game, Bryce Ferrell was called for spearing — a five-minute major, as well as a game misconduct.

Plattsburgh State

The Cardinals needed Oswego State to lose to SUNY Potsdam to have any chance at the second seed for the playoffs, but lost all chances. Either way, the Cardinals did earn two more points over SUNY Cortland in a 5-1 victory Friday night. Cam Owens (1g, 1a), Mike Falanga (1g, 1a), Matt Araujo (2a) and Ross Sloan (2a) all had multi-point nights. Cole Stallard, Philip Middleton and Andrew Pizzo were the other goal scorers for the Cardinals. Jimmy Poreda played 55 minutes of the game, making 19 saves. It is unclear why he left the game. Backup goaltender Brandon Wells made two saves.

The man-advantage was unsuccessful all three times it hit the ice for Plattsburgh State, while it penalty killing unit killed all four penalties the team committed.

Brief History of Lakers and Cardinals

This matchup is the 127th meeting between rivals Oswego State and Plattsburgh State. The last time these two teams faced, Dec. 8, 2017, it was the Lakers’ annual Whiteout Weekend game against the Cardinals where Oswego State won 4-0.

The Cardinals have a 78-40-8 record advantage over the Lakers all-time since 1976. While at Plattsburgh’s rink, Plattsburgh State has a 45-18-5 record all-time. However, Oswego State did win at the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena last season on Dec. 9, 2017, 5-2.

By the Numbers

RECORD (conference) [vs. each other all time]

OSW: 18-4-2 (11-3-1) [40-78-8]

PLA: 11-11-2 (9-5-1) [78-40-8]

GOALS (per game) [last time vs. each other]

OSW: 98 (4.1) [4]

PLA: 63 (2.6) [0]

SHOTS (per game) [last time vs. each other]

OSW: 737 (30.7) [32]

PLA: 793 (33.0) [21]

POWER PLAY (percentage) [last time vs. each other]

OSW: 30-111 (27.9%) [1-3 / 33.3%]

PLA: 10-99 (10.1%) [0-4 / 0.0%]

Players to Watch

Oswego State: David Richer

David Richer will get his seventh-straight start tonight, even though he was pulled in the Buffalo State game. It is easy to assume that he has been named the official starter for the team, despite head coach Ed Gosek never really naming a starter. Typically, at the beginning of the season, Cedric Hansen and Richer have split time, but Richer has taken a majority of the time as of late. Other than the 6-5 loss to the Bengals, Richer has been strong in net, propelling a strong offense. He will be a key player in tonight’s game, especially after he shutout the Cardinals last time at the Marano Campus Center Ice Arena. So far this season, he has a 2.08 goals against average and a .909 save percentage.

Plattsburgh State: Jimmy Poreda

It might very well be a goaltending duel between Oswego State and Plattsburgh State, as Jimmy Poreda has done extremely well for his team. Poreda has played 18 games this season, boasting a 1.91 goals against average and a .933 save percentage. He also has three shutouts this season. This game will be Poreda’s ninth-straight game played.

Lines (provided by Oswego State athletics)

Forwards

No. 14 : Jody Sullivan | No. 15 : Joey Scorpio | No. 27 : Josh Nenadal

No. 10 : Cameron Berry | No. 13 : Josh Zizek | No. 91 : Tyson Kirkby

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

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

Defense

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

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

No. 21 : Jeff Solow | No. 5 : Charlie Pelnik

Extra Skater

No. 23 : Kristoffer Brun

Goaltenders

No. 31 : David Richer

No. 3 : Cedric Hansen

No. 33 : Steven Kozikoski

Scratches: Tyler Antonucci, A.J. D’Orazio, Michael Gillespie, Michael McArthur, Chris MacMillan, Thomas Horn, Ryan Bunka, Josh LeBlanc

Prediction

This game could be one of two things: a goaltending duel or a special teams battle. Both goaltenders have started long streaks, and have posted great numbers in their last couple respective games. However, David Richer does have the advantage of defeating Plattsburgh State and shutting them out in December.

Oswego State’s power play sits in third in Div. III men’s hockey at 27.7 percent, while Plattsburgh State’s penalty kill is No. 1 in Div. III, killing 91.0 percent of all its penalties. However, the Lakers do have eight shorthanded goals, compare to the Cardinals’ four.

With Michael Gillespie still out for the Lakers, and now Josh LeBlanc following another injury (WNYO 88.9 FM said it might be a shoulder), the lines have moved around a decent amount in order to account for the injuries. The seriousness of the injuries have not been specified. Only time will tell to see if both players will return for the semifinal round of the SUNYACs.

Plattsburgh State will want to ride some momentum as it has the play-in round against The College at Brockport. The Cardinals are now the No. 3 seed in the SUNYAC. If they do beat the Golden Eagles, they will face Oswego State again at the Marano Campus Center, since they are the highest seed in the play-in round.

As for a prediction, Oswego State will sweep the north country weekend with a 4-2 win over Plattsburgh State to finish the regular season.