For the second time this season, the No. 15 Oswego State men’s hockey team is on a three-game losing streak following a 4-3 loss to No. 7 Utica College on Friday.

The Lakers (7-6-0, 6-1-0 SUNYAC) host Elmira College (7-3-1, 5-2-0 UCHC) tonight, which has received six votes in the USCHO Div. III national polls this past week.

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Last Time Out

OSW: Oswego State nearly completed a comeback after falling 3-0 early against Utica College. Following goals from Ryan Bunka, Anthony Passero and Josh Zizek, the Lakers tied the game at 8:56 of the third period. After a Jeff Solow turnover with 1:52 left in the third period, Utica College’s Conor Landrigan scored the second goal of his game, which ended up being the game-winner. Cedric Hansen played 32:39 of the game in relief for David Richer. Hansen went 12-13, while Richer went 8-11. Alex DiCarlo finished the game with two assists.

ELM: The Soaring Eagles have not played since Jan. 4 against Plattsburgh State in the W.B. Mason Winter Classic in Plattsburgh. Elmira College took a 4-1 win over the Cardinals after scoring two short-handed goals. Matthew Cuce had two goals (one short-handed) and an assist. Anthony Parrucci had the other short-handed goal and two assists. Nick Ford rounded out the scoring. Logan Bateman made 17 saves on 18 shots for his second win of the season.

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By the Numbers

RECORD (conference)

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

ELM: 7-3-1 (5-2-1 UCHC)

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GOALS (per game)

OSW: 50 (3.8)

ELM: 45 (4.1)

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SHOTS (per game) [shooting percentage]

OSW: 481 (37.0) [10.4%]

ELM: 437 (39.7) [10.3%]

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POWER PLAY (percentage)

OSW: 10-51 (19.6%)

ELM: 19-55 (34.5%)

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PENALTY KILL (percentage)

OSW: 39-53 (73.6%)

ELM: 37-46 (80.4%)

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Statistic Leaders

Oswego State

Goals

1. Travis Broughman — 9
2. M. Emerson / J. Zizek / J. Sullivan / C. Fletcher — 4
3. A. Passero / J. Molinaro / M. Novick / T. Kirkby — 3

Assists

1. Anthony Passero — 13
2. Max Novick — 8
3. T. Broughman / M. Emerson / J. Molinaro — 6

Points

1. Anthony Passero — 16
2. Travis Broughman — 15
3. Max Novick — 11

Plus/Minus

1. Max Novick / Carter Allen — +10
2. Joseph Molinaro — +9
3. Travis Broughman — +8

Goals Against Average

1. David Richer — 2.62
2. Cedric Hansen — 3.84

Save Percentage

1. David Richer — .901%
2. Cedric Hansen — .839%

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Elmira College

Goals

1. Matthew Cuce — 9
2. Nick Ford — 7
3. Christian Lloyd / Anthony Parrucci — 5

Assists

1. Connor Powell — 10
2. Matthew Cuce / Nick Ford — 8
3. Spencer MacLean / Nick Gagnon — 6

Points

1. Matthew Cuce — 17
2. Nick Ford — 15
3. Connor Powell — 14

Plus/Minus

1. Spencer Carter / Adam Eby — +7
2. Alex Gagnon — +4
3. Nick Ford / Andrew Pucci / Tommy Donnelly — +3

Goals Against Average

1. Chris Janzen — 2.02
2. Logan Bateman — 2.34

Save Percentage

1. Chris Janzen — .932%
2. Logan Bateman — .920%

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Starting Lineups

Oswego State

Forwards

Derek Brown — Mitch Emerson — Tanner Spink

Michael Gillespie — Anthony Passero — Travis Broughman

Joseph Molinaro — Josh Zizek — Alex DiCarlo

Jody Sullivan — Tyson Kirkby — Josh LeBlanc

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Defense

Carter Allen — Carson Vance

Max Novick — Chris MacMillan

Ryan Bunka — Tyler Currie

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Goaltenders

Cedric Hansen

David Richer

Steven Kozikoski

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Scratches: Tyler Antonucci, Charlie Pelnik, Joey Scorpio, Jeff Solow, Colton Fletcher

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Elmira College

Forwards

Nick Ford — Connor Powell — Anthony Parrucci

Andrew Pucci — Matthew Cuce — Alex Gagnon

Spencer MacLean — Marty Kapoian — Jake Russo

Justin Robertson — Patrick Schmelzinger — Graham Denome

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Defense

Harry Kramer — Christian Lloyd

Matthew Cousino — Spencer Carter

Adam Eby — Tommy Connelly

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Extra Skater

Dan Smith

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Goaltenders

Logan Bateman

Chris Janzen

Jeffrey Zero

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Players to Watch

OSW: Michael Gillespie

While Michael Gillespie did not score against Utica College, he did have an assist in the game. However, in the first period, the senior forward was snake-bitten numerous times by Utica College’s goaltender, Gianluca Baggetta, who appeared to be out of position a few times but made miraculous saves to preserve what was then a shutout. Gillespie had seven shots on the game. If he keeps up that productivity, he will be on the hunt for his first goal since Nov. 30 against Plymouth State.

ELM: Christian Lloyd

When a team has a blue-liner that can rack up the points, it is usually a valuable asset to an already-strong offensive line. Christian Lloyd has 10 points this season, adding five goals to a strong offensive unit that is averaging 4.1 goals per game. Lloyd is second on the team in shots with 42. He is also a strong two-way player, with a team-leading 16 blocks.

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SUNYAC Update

The SUNYAC standings remain the same since there were no league games played on Friday. The only thing that has changed are overall records.

SUNYAC Standings

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

SUNYAC Schedule

• Oswego State hosts Elmira College (non-league) tonight for a 7 p.m. puck drop
• SUNY Geneseo travels to Lebanon Valley College (non-league) today for a 5 p.m. start
• Morrisville State travels to the University of New England (non-league) today for a 4 p.m. puck drop
• The College at Brockport travels to Stevenson University (non-league) today for a 3 p.m. game
• Plattsburgh State will host Wesleyan University (non-league) on Jan. 14 for a 7 p.m. game
• Buffalo State hosts SUNY Canton (non-league) today to finish the weekend series for a 4 p.m. puck drop
• SUNY Cortland will host Wilke’s University (non-league) on Jan. 14 for a 5 p.m. puck drop
• SUNY Potsdam hosts Neumann College today to complete the weekend series for a 6 p.m. game
• SUNY Fredonia will travel to Bryn Athyn College (non-league) on Jan. 11 for a 4 p.m. matchup

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Prediction

Oswego State will try to avoid being .500 overall. Even though it is much later in the season, the last time the Lakers were .500 was during the 2017-2018 season, after going 1-1, following a win against Elmira College and a loss to Hobart College. Obviously, 14 games is much different than two, but nonetheless.

Every loss again a non-conference opponent—ranked or unranked—hurts the Lakers’ chances for a national title run, at least looking for an at-large bid if the automatic bid from the SUNYAC championship does not come through. A fourth straight loss to Elmira College will only hurt Oswego State’s chances more.

After last night, it is clear what needs to change: defensive puck management. Two of the four goals allowed against Utica College were caused by defensive turnovers, including the game-winning goal with 1:52 remaining in the game. The Lakers’ defense has a lot of speed and a lot of offensive firepower, which is nice, but the defensive responsibilities of clearing the puck out of their own zone and controlling the puck need to be the priority.

Elmira College has a lot of offensive weapons, and has proven it can score both on the power play (clipping at 34.5%) and also short-handed, scoring twice while killing a penalty against Plattsburgh State. Both goaltenders also have above a .900 save percentage, proving an all-around strong team. The Soaring Eagles are also entering the game on a five-game win streak, giving them confidence against a team like Oswego State, having lost its last three.

This game will be close, and it will come down to the Lakers’ defense and ability to find the open man in the offensive zone.

Prediction: Elmira College takes this one 3-2.

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Photo by: Casey Stone | The Oswegonian