After a two-goal second period and a three-goal third period, the No. 12 Oswego State men’s hockey team defeated Buffalo State 5-0 Friday night at the Buffalo State Ice Arena.
Following a three-game losing streak, the Lakers have now won back-to-back games, scoring 13 goals between the two games. Prior to Friday, Oswego State defeated Plymouth State 8-0 on Nov. 30.
Oswego State head coach Ed Gosek contributed this win to an improved defense, which “made very good decisions tonight” when breaking out of its own zone and transitioning into a line rush.
The defense also contributed on the offensive side of the puck, with Carson Vance scoring the second goal of the game and adding an assist, while Tyler Currie notched two assists and Tyler Antonucci earned an assist—the first point of the sophomore’s collegiate career.
“It’s just our forwards getting lower and learning our defense [and how they play]. Getting on top of [Buffalo State’s] first wave of forecheck,” Gosek said. “We didn’t just throw pucks away. That was a positive. That was nice for our defense to play that way.”
Travis Broughman added two goals of his own tonight, to add to his team-leading seven goals and 12 points this season. The sophomore now has three multi-point games this season.
His second goal was about two or three seconds short of also being scored on the power play at 14:28 of the third period, which came in the high slot and got past the shoulder of Emil Norrman. Broughman’s first goal came on a two-on-one rush alongside Michael Gillespie. He decided to keep the shot for himself and picked the top corner past Norrman.
“It’s nice to see him shoot the puck. He’s working himself into areas to get open,” Gosek said. “I thought his decisions with the puck tonight were much better. He played as a power forward, not as a play-making forward.”
Josh Zizek opened up scoring with 17:52 remaining in the second period, which opened the flood gates for Oswego State. Vance’s goal from the blue line quickly followed at 5:22 of the middle period. Broughman’s two goals were at the beginning of the third period, while Joseph Molinaro’s goal at 15:24 of the regulation period capped off the scoring for the Lakers.
Zizek’s goal came on the power play, which went 1-6 against Buffalo State. Oswego State killed all four penalties that it committed.
“[The power play is] just gaining confidence. They’re not forcing things,” Gosek said. “They’re gaining confidence in their decisions. Hopefully, that’ll continue to go in the right direction
Oswego State’s shutout was the second-straight shutout for goaltender David Richer and his third shutout for the entire season. He was the starting goaltender against Plattsburgh State and Plymouth State.
Richer made 21 saves in the contest, including some diving saves in the third period to preserve his shutout. He has now improved to a .921 save percentage a 2.16 goals against average.
“He just tracked the puck well. He stayed big. He didn’t over pursue,” Gosek said. “He looked calm and relaxed in the net.”
Oswego State (6-3-0, 5-1-0 SUNYAC) will continue its western New York road trip with a game against SUNY Fredonia on Saturday for a 7 p.m. puck drop The Blue Devils (2-5-3, 1-5-1 SUNYAC) just earned their first conference win on Friday night against SUNY Cortland. The win is their first since Nov. 9 against Chatham University after a 7-2 win.
“We don’t need to take unnecessary chances. Let the game come to us. We don’t need to force pucks. We don’t need to be in a hurry. You saw that tonight,” Gosek said. “Again, limiting opportunities and turnovers at the offensive blue line. Not getting outnumbered in our own end. Those are the keys to our success and that’s what it’ll take tomorrow night at Fredonia.”
Cover photo by Ben Grieco | The Oswegonian
