For the Oswego State women’s hockey team, the month of February will make or break their 2021-22 season. After a back-and-forth January where the Lakers went 3-5-0, Oswego State now turns their attention to the NEWHL standings and slotting themselves into a playoff spot. As the standings sit right now, Oswego State is tied with SUNY Cortland for second place with a total of 19 points.
The Lakers moved up the standings due to their play last weekend and sweep over the SUNY Canton Kangaroos. Oswego State played their first two conference games against SUNY Canton which resulted in two shutouts for the Lakers.
Sophomore netminder Joanna Hiebert was in between the pipes over the weekend and received NEWHL Goaltender of the Week due to her performances. Her season statistics include a 2.08 goals against average and a .897 save percentage.
Morgan Shines received Oswego State Female Athlete of the Week after leading the offense this past weekend. The junior forward posted four points this weekend with a goal and assist in SUNY Canton on Saturday and two assists on home ice during Sunday’s contest. Shines has 14 points this season and leads the team in goals with a total of eight.
After Megan Teachout transferred to SUNY Potsdam, more players have been stepping up to fill the gap in the offensive core. The offense averages 3.2 goals per game with 39.3 shots per game.
Ariella Haas leads the team in points with four goals and fourteen assists for a total of 18 points. Newcomer Simone Bednarik is the highest freshman in the points total with five goals and six assists.
The Lakers went on the road Tuesday evening to take on the Bengals of Buffalo State for another NEWHL matchup. The 5-0 victory was the third shutout in as many games for Oswego State.
The goaltending tandem of Joanna Hiebert and Bryn White have combined for a 1.99 goals against average and a .896 save percentage. The two goaltenders have shared time in between the pipes for Oswego State in their first season with the team.
Oswego State will now turn their sights towards Friday night’s match up in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena. The senior night contest will be against a familiar opponent as SUNY Canton travels back to hockey town for another NEWHL game. The Lakers will honor Chyne Kennedy, alternate captain Aislinn McAleer and captain Philomena Teggart as those Oswego State players play their final regular season game in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena.
The 7:00 p.m. puck drop features a Kangaroos squad that has dropped their last five matchups, all being conference games. On Tuesday, SUNY Canton lost to SUNY Potsdam 4-1 which pushed the Bears into the final spot in the NEWHL playoffs. The Kangaroos are still looking for their first victory against the Oswego State program.
Come playoff time, the Lakers will play top caliber opponents like Plattsburgh State and SUNY Cortland, the two teams above the Lakers in the NEWHL standings. Oswego State won the season series against the Red Dragons with only one loss, but the Lakers have not beaten the Cardinals yet this year. Oswego State faced Plattsburgh State in the 2019-20 NEWHL finals and lost in the North Country.
For the Lakers, Friday night’s game is another opportunity to take two points and solidify themselves into the NEWHL postseason. After Friday, the Lakers will play three more conference games before the start of the playoffs. Oswego State is looking to hold down the second spot in order to host a playoff game in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena.
Shelby Peplowski | The Oswegonian
