The Oswego State Lakers (1-0-0 exhibition) are hosting Nazareth College for the second and final exhibition game of the season. This is the second year in a row that the Lakers will be hosting the Golden Flyers.

In last season’s exhibition matchup, which was the first exhibition matchup for Oswego State, the Lakers won 5-2, with three of their goals coming in the first period alone. Both of Nazareth College’s goals came in the first period, as well.

This exhibition game will be Nazareth College’s first exhibition game of the season. The last the time the Golden Flyers played was on Feb. 23 and 24, with back-to-back losses against Utica College in the UCHC playoffs.

The Lakers’ first regular season game will be on Nov. 1 against SUNY Cortland, which will also be their first SUNYAC matchup. Nazareth College will start its regular season on Nov. 5 against SUNY Geneseo – last year’s SUNYAC champion.

Both Oswego State and Nazareth College will face each other again on Jan. 14 during the Lakers’ winter session at Nazareth College.

Last Time Out

OSW: Oswego State hosted the Carleton Place Canadians of the Central Canada Hockey League, resulting in a 9-1 win for the Lakers. Derek Brown recorded a hat trick. Carter Allen, Anthony Passero, Charlie Pelnik, Mitch Emerson, Chris MacMillan and Tyson Kirkby also recorded goals. Josh Zizek had three assists in the matchup.

All three goaltenders – Cedric Hansen, David Richer and Steven Kozikoski – played a period each, with Hansen making two saves, Richer stopping nine shots and Kozikoski recording eight saves. Hansen was the lone goaltender to allow the early goal from Carleton Place.

NAZ: First exhibition game of the season

By the Numbers

RECORD

*OSW: 1-0-0 (exhibition)

**NAZ: 12-9-7 (exhibition)

GOALS (per game)

*OSW: 9 (9.0)

**NAZ: 82 (2.93)

SHOTS (per game)

*OSW: 38 (38.0)

**NAZ: 863 (30.8)

POWER PLAY (percentage)

*OSW: 1-6 (16.7%)

**NAZ: 25-145 (17.2%)

*All of Oswego State’s statistics represent its first exhibition game against Carleton Place. Stats will reset after game against SUNY Cortland.

**All of Nazareth College’s statistics represent its 2018-2019 statistics. Stats will reset during the regular season.

Starting Lineups (subject to change)

Oswego State

Forwards

Jody Sullivan – Colton Fletcher – Joseph Molinaro

Ryan Bunka – Mitch Emerson – Michael Gillespie

Alex DiCarlo – Derek Brown – Travis Broughman

Joey Scorpio – Tyson Kirkby – Josh LeBlanc

Defense

Carter Allen – Tyler Currie

Max Novick – Chris MacMillan

Charlie Pelnik – Jeff Solow

Goaltenders

David Richer

Cedric Hansen

Steven Kozikoski

Extra Defenseman

Tyler Antonucci

Scratches: Anthony Passero, Tanner Spink, Carson Vance, Josh Zizek

Nazareth College

Forwards

Carmine Alberga – Zander Pryor – Henry McKinney

Ray Falso – Brian Miller – Justin Miller

Casey Kubara – James McDonald – Jackson Shanley

Michael Houlihan – Mitch Culver – Connor Davis

Defense

Matt Stanek – Sean Hallice

Cody Antonini – Andrew Frojelin

Owen Kuhns – Ean Mendeszoon

Joe Brophy – Cole Moore

Goaltenders

Michael Tilford

Sean Kuhn

Gage Roberts

Extra Skater

Jake Peters

Player Spotlight

OSW: Derek Brown (forward, third line)

It has already been harped on a couple times this season, but Derek Brown has had his “best offseason,” according to head coach Ed Gosek, who heard it from Brown himself. While it will not count toward his statistics, a hat trick is a hat trick, which propels a lot of confidence for any player. The transfer senior from Niagara University will look to make a big impact during his senior year and is already ahead of the game just after one exhibition game. While he might have a tougher time scoring against Nazareth College, who is obviously an NCAA team, expect him still to take some quality chances.

NAZ: Brian Miller (forward, second line)

Brian Miller is the highest returning scorer for the Golden Flyers with 17 points, trailing David Powlowski and J.R. Wojciechowski, who had 25 and 20 points, respectively. As one of the eight seniors on the roster this season for Nazareth College, he will be expected to lead this team against a tough Oswego State team, who just came off a nine-goal victory over Carleton Place. While it is only an exhibition game, he will need to get started on the right foot to help propel the Golden Flyers.

Prediction

Oswego State has a dominant history over Nazareth College, with two wins last season – one exhibition game, and one that was at the Allyn Ice Arena in Skaneateles, New York. The Lakers scored five in last season’s exhibition, with goals from Joseph Molinaro and Mitch Emerson. Tanner Spink had two goals and Josh Zizek added another.

While Zizek and Spink are both scratched for tonight’s contest, last season was last season. There is a lot of fire power on this team that will be able to produce quality chances. No one is expecting another 9-1 route of a team or something similar compared to last weekend for Oswego State, but a good chunk of goals could be put on the board.

Goaltending is still up in the air, as head coach Ed Gosek did say that all three goalies will get a period each, similar to last weekend. Depending on if Hansen sees a little more action in the game compared to against Carleton Place, the starting job really could be anyone’s. Defense will also play a key factor in the goaltender choice.

As for a prediction, the Lakers will take this one in similar fashion to last year, but in a 5-2 win off an empty net goal.