After three straight losses in just four days, the Oswego Buccaneers took on the Auburn Maroons Wednesday night and snapped their losing streak, winning 5-1.

After Oswego won the faceoff, the first whistle was not blown for 4:47, giving non-stop action to begin the game. About nine minutes into the first period, there was a scrum near the Auburn net that was cleared out for an icing by the Maroons. Back down in the Auburn zone, Oswego won the faceoff, and senior Joe DiBlasi netted the first goal with 5:49 remaining to put the Bucs up 1-0.

A hooking penalty was called on Auburn junior Trey Masters shortly after, but a good penalty kill thwarted any possible Buccaneer power play opportunities. Just four minutes later, a tripping penalty was called on senior Collin Cianfarano, but just like Auburn earlier in the period, Oswego had no issue killing off their first minor of the game.

Both goaltenders played well in the first period. Sophomore Mason Jones for Auburn only let in one goal but senior Brandon Demling of the Buccaneers was the better of the two netminders. Not only did he keep the net empty in the first, but he started off the second period with three saves in the first minute.  

An interference penalty was called on sophomore Carter Mizro for hitting DiBlasi coming off a line change as the Buccaneers were entering the zone. This was the first real chance Oswego had in the second period, after roughly seven minutes of play. Although, once again, it was an unsuccessful power play for the Bucs.

Just as Oswego’s offensive capabilities started to look stagnant, senior captain Adam Michalski ripped a shot from the blue line that was deflected into the goal by fellow senior Frank Wincheck. Just six minutes remained in the second period after Oswego took a 2-0 lead over Auburn and held it into the second intermission.

In the third period, the Buccaneers came strong, scoring just under two minutes in. DiBlasi skated around two Auburn defensemen, found an opening and slotted it home to put the Buccaneers up 3-0.

An Oswego slashing penalty on junior Lukas Cady with 9:08 remaining gave Auburn the man-advantage. The solid penalty kill led to an opportunity right out of the box, as Winchek was sprung free, one-on-one with the goaltender but was tripped as he entered the low slot. It took just 20 seconds for the Bucs to pounce on the power play opportunity, as Michalski scored to make it 4-0.

Oswego was caught napping in its own zone, and Charlie Cunningham scored for Auburn making it a 4-1 game with just under six minutes to go. 

After some back and forth, the Bucs skated into the offensive zone with the puck on the stick of the captain, Michalski. Skating to his right, Michalski moved the puck to his backhand and scooped it up over the head of Jones to extend the lead to four, making it a 5-1 contest. 

That would be the last goal, as Michalski netted two, DiBlasi had a pair and Winchek scored one. Demling led the way between the pipes, and the Bucs got a win to end their three-game losing streak. 

The Buccaneers were able to put together a complete game, instead of just 30-minute spurts, according to coach Kevin Ahern. He was impressed with the team’s entire system in the win over Auburn.

“Tonight, we needed three periods of hockey,” Ahern said. “We needed to put three periods of hockey together. [We were] solid discipline wise and we finally did get that.”

Ahern said he was proud of the job that Michalski did and knows that his job is to take over games, as he did tonight, and that will only help the Buccaneers in the long run.

“He made good decisions,” Ahern said. “ When he ran out of room tonight, he would dump the puck in. When he had the opportunity to beat somebody one-on-one, he did it … He was good tonight.”

A vital piece of the puzzle tonight was Demling. The senior made 19 saves and only allowed one goal to help the Bucs get their third win of the season. Ahern decided to rest Demling on Tuesday night. Ahern added that may have been the best thing for his game moving forward.

“I think that every once in a while you make a move that works out for you,” Ahern said. “I think giving him a night off last night was almost a relief for him. It gave him a chance to catch his breath and play home, where he was a little comfortable against these guys, he had a good night. He looked confident tonight, he made some nice glove saves and he controlled his rebounds.”

Oswego takes on Skaneateles for a 7 p.m. puck drop on Thursday at the Crisafulli Ice Rink.

Photo by: Ben Grieco | The Oswegonian