After nearly a month break, the No. 10 Oswego State men’s hockey team will host its annual Pathfinder Bank/Oswego State Hockey Classic.

This year, the visiting teams are Saint Mary’s University (Minnesota), Williams College and the University of New England. Both the Ephs and Nor’easters are ranked by the USCHO. The University of New England is ranked No. 9, while Williams College is No. 14.

The Lakers (7-3-0, 6-1-0 SUNYAC) will host Saint Mary’s University (3-5-1, 3-1-0 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) for the first round of the tournament, while the Ephs and Nor’easters played the other game of the tournament.

The meeting between Oswego State and Saint Mary’s University will be the first in program history.

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Last Time Out

OSW: Just less than a month ago, the Lakers took their western New York road trip, taking on Buffalo State and SUNY Fredonia. The game against the Bengals was a 5-0 shutout for David Richer, while Travis Broughman added two goals. Tyson Kirkby and Tyler currie both had two assists. Carson Vance, Josh Zizek and Joseph Molinaro all scored, as well. Against the Blue Devils, the game was a lot tighter up until the very end. At one point, the Lakers led 4-2, but SUNY Fredonia tied it up at 17:07 of the third period. Kirkby scored the game-winner on the power play with 41 seconds left in the game. Anthony Passero, who had a three-point night, notched his 100th collegiate point between Buffalo State and Oswego State.

SMU: On Dec. 6 and 7, the Cardinals faced Gustavus Adolphus College for a back-to-back weekend against a MIAC opponent. Saint Mary’s University lost the first game 7-0, but won the second game in overtime 5-4. Tommy Stang and Ryan Stoynich both had a goal and an assist in the overtime win. Goaltender Al Rogers made 23 saves in the victory.

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By the Numbers

RECORD (conference)

OSW: 7-3-0 (6-1-0 SUNYAC)

SMU: 3-5-1 (3-1-0 MIAC)

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GOALS (per game)

OSW: 44 (4.4)

SMU: 23 (2.6)

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SHOTS (per game) [shooting percentage]

OSW: 377 (37.7) [11.7%]

SMU: 225 (25.0) [10.2%]

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POWER PLAY (percentage)

OSW: 9-41 (22.0%)

SMU: 6-40 (15.0%)

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PENALTY KILL (percentage)

OSW: 33-46 (71.1%)

SMU: 26-31 (83.9%)

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Statistic Leaders

Oswego State

Goals

1. Travis Broughman – 7
2. Mitch Emerson / Jody Sullivan / Colton Fletcher – 4

Assists

1. Anthony Passero – 12
2. Max Novick – 8
3. Travis Broughman / Josephi Molinaro – 6

Points

1. Anthony Passero – 14
2. Travis Broughman – 13
3. Max Novick -11

Plus/Minus

1. Allen Carter – +12
2. Max Novick – +10
3. Anthony Passero / Travis Broughman / Joseph Molinaro – +9

Save Percentage

1. David Richer – .913%
2. Cedric Hansen – .816%

Goals Against Average

1. David Richer – 2.39
2. Cedric Hansen – 4.36

Saint Mary’s University

Goals

1. Kyle Meeh – 5
2. Tommy Stang / Ryan Stoynich – 3
3. Sam Hanson / Thomas Magnavite – 2

Assists

1. Jack Stang – 8
2. Tommy Stang – 6
3. Trevor Wilhelm – 5

Points

1. Jack Stang / Tommy Stang – 9
2. Kyle Meeh – 7
3. Trevor Wilhelm / Ryan Stoynich – 6

Plus/Minus

1. Ian Currie – +2
2. Dylan Robertson – +1
3. Thomas Magnavite – +1

Save Percentage

1. Nick Nast – .888%
2. Al Rogers – .846%
3. Parker Swanson – .833%

Goals Against Average

1. Nick Nast – 3.42
2. Al Rogers – 4.65
3. Parker Swanson – 5.45

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Starting Lineups

Oswego State

Forwards

Tyson Kirkby – Josh Zizek – Joseph Molinaro

Michael Gillespie – Anthony Passero – Travis Broughman

Derek Brown – Mitch Emerson – Alex DiCarlo

Tanner Spink – Joey Scorpio – Jody Sullivan

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Defense

Carter Allen – Tyler Currie

Max Novick – Chris MacMillan

Carson Vance – Tyler Antonucci

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Extra Defenseman

Jeff Solow

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Goaltenders

David Richer

Cedric Hansen

Steven Kozikoski

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Scratches: Charlie Pelnik, Colton Fletcher, Ryan Bunka, Josh LeBlanc

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Saint Mary’s University

Forwards

Tommy Stang – Ryan Stoynich – Jack Stang

Dylan Robertson – Sam Hanson – Jack Hatton

Thomas Magnavite – Alex DiBacco – Own Sikich

Ian Currie – Andrew Cummings – Robert Roslund

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Defense

Kyle Meeh – Trevor Wilhelm

Seth Kamrass – Tyson Liverance

Alex Rickoff – Sam Schultz

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Goaltenders

Al Rogers

Blair Sanders

Parker Swanson

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Players to Watch

OSW: Anthony Passero

The senior forward had probably one of the best weekends of his final season after visiting his former team, Buffalo State, and SUNY Fredonia in the Lakers’ weekend sweep before the winter break. Not only did Passero record his 100th collegiate point in the win over SUNY Fredonia, but he was named the SUNYAC Men’s Ice Hockey Player of the Week after a four-point weekend. Now, as he enters his final semester, expect Passero to use that momentum from a tough western New York swing last month.

SMU: The Stang Brothers

The Cardinals’ two leading scorers are Jack and Tommy Stang, who are tied with nine points each. Both are assist leaders with eight and six, respectively. Having brothers on the same team is not uncommon, but it always creates a unique story. Depending on the lineup, sometimes brothers can be the best linemates since they grew up playing with each other, in their case, the backyard of their North Iowa home. Expect these two brothers to give Oswego State a tough time in both team’s first game back in January.

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SUNYAC Update

Even though the game between Oswego State and Saint Mary’s University is a non-league matchup, here are the SUNYAC standings following the weekend of Dec. 6 and 7. Please note that not every SUNYAC team is playing this early into the month.

SUNYAC Standings

1. Oswego State (12 points | 7-3-0 overall, 6-1-0 SUNYAC)
2. SUNY Geneseo (11 points | 8-3-1 overall, 5-1-1 SUNYAC)
3. Morrisville State (10 points | 6-6-0 overall, 5-3-0 SUNYAC)
4. The College at Brockport (10 points | 5-4-0 overall, 5-6-0 SUNYAC)
5. Plattsburgh States (7 points | 3-3-1 overall, 3-6-1 SUNYAC)
6. Buffalo State (6 points | 5-5-0 overall, 3-3-0 SUNYAC)
7. SUNY Cortland (6 points | 4-7-0 overall, 3-6-0 SUNYAC)
8. SUNY Potsdam (5 points | 2-9-1 overall, 2-6-1 SUNYAC)
9. SUNY Fredonia (3 points | 2-7-3 overall, 1-6-1 SUNYAC)

SUNYAC teams playing or the team’s next game:

• Oswego State hosts Saint Mary’s University for a 7 p.m. puck drop
• SUNY Geneseo hosts King’s College for a 7 p.m. puck drop
• Morrisville State will travel to King’s College on Jan. 7 for a 4 p.m. puck drop
• The College at Brockport hosts Neumann University for a 7 p.m. puck drop
• Plattsburgh State hosts the Wentworth Institute of Technology for a 7 p.m. puck drop
• Buffalo State will travel to Chatham University on Jan. 7 for a 7 p.m. puck drop
• SUNY Cortland will travel to Norwich, Vermont, for a neutral-site game against Salve Regina University for a 4 p.m. puck drop
• SUNY Potsdam will travel to Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts, on Jan. 4 for a 4:10 p.m. puck drop
• SUNY Fredonia will travel to Bryn Athyn College on Jan. 11 for a 4 p.m. puck drop

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Prediction

Oswego State has the upper hand, with a lot more top-end talent and more offensive power compared to Saint Mary’s University. The Lakers are also on a strong streak, especially with the most recent win being a tough battle against SUNY Fredonia. Carter Allen was ejected from that game, but, as of Friday morning, nothing was announced suspension-wise for the junior defenseman.

With the Lakers looking to defend their title in the Pathfinder Bank / Oswego State Hockey Classic, a tough game against the Cardinals will happen. This season, head coach Ed Gosek brought in some top teams, along with Williams College and the University of New England — ranked teams in Div. III. No matter what, this weekend will be a tough non-conference tournament.

Oswego State will have to watch for the Stang brothers. While there are only two, that is enough to cause some damage against a not-expecting Oswego State team. But, for the most part, like mentioned before, the Lakers just have a lot more offense.

Final prediction: Oswego State takes this one 4-1.

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Photo by: Casey Stone | The Oswegonian