The beginning of 2022 marks the newest chapter of Whiteout Weekend featuring the Oswego State men’s hockey team hosting SUNY Potsdam and of course, Plattsburgh State.
Lakers, Bears and Cardinals players will be tasked with competing in one of the biggest atmospheres in div III hockey. Prior to the second game of the weekend versus Plattsburgh State on Jan. 22, the Lakers will first have to down SUNY Potsdam to attain their first three SUNYAC points of the weekend on Jan. 21.
Assuming the first game goes well for the Lakers, their next focus will be based on besting the birds in one of the most highly anticipated hockey games on either of their schedules. A rivalry that has been in the books since 1976 when Oswego State won their first match-up 6-2. Times and personnel have changed since and with head coach Ed Gosek at the helm, his expectations have never been higher going into this weekend.
“It’s built itself into a great rivalry,” Gosek said. “A great tradition, whether the records are 10-0 or 0-10 it will still be a nailbiter every game. On Saturday night I know the guys will be fired up, I know they need the points just like we do. We had a good game up there the first time and I’m sure it’ll be the same this time.”
A good game indeed with both teams gaining conference points in a 2-2 overtime tie in Plattsburgh State on Nov. 6. This game featured three powerplays per side and goals from Oswego State’s Tyler Antonucci and Alex DiCarlo, both of which now with a combined 11 goals on the season for the green and gold. This promising first match-up for Oswego State was also helped by the stellar goaltending of senior goaltender Steven Kozikoski. The man between the posts has notched 297 saves through 12 games this season, but this weekend’s games are just another pair of hockey games to him.
“It’s odd going into my senior year already playing Plattsburgh three times,” Kozikoski said. “I’m going to treat it like we did in the playoff game my sophomore year, it’s pretty exciting, especially getting the whole crowd back. Hopefully we can get as many people in those stands as we can, rocking the white shirts. It’s another game and we need the three points. That’s how every game from here on out should be taken as.”
The Lakers only hold two points over the Cardinals in the SUNYAC standings. This weekend’s game can be a pivotal factor in who gets the second, third or fourth seed in the confrence behind Suny Geneseo. From Kozikoski’s perspective, giving the team from up north as much attention to detail as possible is the best way to come out of this weekend victorious.
“Plattsburgh all around is a hard-hitting team,” Kozikoski said. “They’re fast and the most important thing you can do is stay focused. It depends how hard that Friday night game is going to be going into the second game. The nerves aren’t there, which helps with consistency, I don’t have any pregame rituals and I don’t psych myself out before a game. I just go out, play and see what happens by the end of the game.”
Pregame rituals can vary throughout the locker room, for asst. coach of Oswego State Jon Whitelaw, things have changed from his time as a player to a mentor on the ice. Nowadays he takes less time to stretch and carries a level head going into his passion of coaching. But in a game where the record doesn’t matter, Whitelaw cannot ignore the magnitude of a weekend like whiteout.
“For me personally I try to keep my routine the same,” Whitelaw said. It’s hard to do so when the place is packed at 6:50 and the whole student section is full, I always say you have to enjoy these kinds of moments.
Whitelaw knows this experience just like his players do. He played four seasons with the men’s hockey team and has gone to four NCAA frozen fours, earning rookie of the year honors in his freshman season. For Saturday’s game against Plattsburgh State, he knows how big a game like this can mean for a team’s momentum and confidence going forward.
“We have a very fierce rivalry,” Whitelaw said. “You want to do everything to win those games, the rivalry is rich and strong and a lot of fun. The guys are looking forward to it, it’s part of why we’re lucky to play at Oswego, playing in these atmospheres, It’s a lot of fun for everyone who gets to play here.”
It is also key to show young players how to keep a cool head in such a wild atmosphere just like he was able to do in 2013. At the end of the day for Whitelaw, it is about inspiring his squad to play Laker hockey and staying true to their brand in the wheelhouse.
“It’s a special game, one you look forward to all year,” Whitelaw said. “You only get so many opportunities in your collegiate career playing in an atmosphere like that. For me it’s about enjoying it and taking in the excitement, soak it in and enjoy it, but don’t change your game and who you are.”
Heads are high after Oswego State’s 5-0 shutout versus the Buffalo State Bengals. Gosek and his team were relieved to avoid another 2-1 game and dominate on every facet of play during the contest.
“I think the guys had fun, it was nice to not play catch-up,” Gosek said. I thought a lot of that came off the momentum from special teams, I thought that was a huge positive and we were more aggressive where we could be. We took away a lot of the zone time we had been giving teams.”
Carrying that momentum into whiteout will be essential for the Lakers heading into their rivalry game. With Oswego State currently two points out of second place behind SUNY Cortland and SUNY Brockport, winning on their home ice can be the booster they need. At the same time, players and coaches will also have to recognize one of their most cherished weekends of the season and come out on top.
Thousands of fans poor into the Deborah F. Stanley Arena every season to witness this spectacle, and for leaders like Kozikoski, he is just happy to be here.
“It’s unbelievable that we get the chance and opportunity to do this in front of a crowd like that,” Kozikoski said. “Not a lot of division three or division one teams can say that they have done that before so it’s special for Oswego, and special for all the 21 guys in the locker room to enjoy that atmosphere. I think a lot of guys are going to be amped up to play this game because we know what it means for the community and Oswego.”
Image via Oswego State Athletics (@OswegoAthletics)
