The Oswego State men’s hockey team is preparing this week for the final weekend of play prior to the winter break. After starting off the season 7-1 overall, the Lakers are on a three-game slid with their previous two losses coming against Morrisville State and Utica University. 

Morrisville State defeated Oswego State 3-1 on Dec. 2 for the first time since Feb. 22, 2011. Trent Grimshaw scored the lone goal that sent the Teddy Bears flying onto the ice sheet.

On Dec. 3, the Lakers traveled to Utica to take on the Pioneers and were kept off the box score as the nationally ranked Utica University squad won 4-0 in a packed Adirondack Bank Center. Cal Schell made 41 saves in the loss. 

The Lakers have been held to just two goals over the span of their three-game losing streak that started on Nov. 27 versus Skidmore College. So far this season, Oswego State averages 3.4 goals per game, a stat that could go back up with an increased intensity in the offensive zone.

“I do not think we have been aggressive enough, hungry enough around the net as we were earlier in the year,” Ed Gosek, head coach of Oswego State, said. “Earlier in the year, we were bringing pucks to the net and not worrying about the perfect shot…we are allowing them to try to use their skill set to make plays and allow things to happen. But it is really stalling and going the other way.” 

Their opponents found the back of the net 11 times over the course of the three games. The Lakers approached practice this week with the focus on defensive responsibilities.

“[We are focusing on] just coming back into the defensive zone and being outlets for the defenseman [and] making sure we are getting back in time and not blowing the zone,” Grimshaw said. 

The power play units have scored six goals this season on 33 opportunities. The penalty kill unit just cleared 81.1% efficiency after keeping Utica University off the scoreboard during the man advantage.

“We have to keep moving our feet and the puck,” Grimshaw said. “Once we get stationary, that is when we stop getting chances. I think we have the guys to do it, we just have to work together and move our feet.”

The Lakers will return to conference play as the team heads on the road for two games out west in the Buffalo area. After recent results, Oswego State holds sole possession of first place in the SUNYAC with a conference record of 5-1.

SUNY Geneseo and Plattsburgh State are tied for second with a 4-2-1 record against SUNYAC opponents. At this point of the season, every team is looking to add points to their resume.

“Everyone wants to go into the Christmas Break feeling better about themselves,” Gosek said. “At the end of the year, there is only going to be one team happy…[these games] are clearly the two most important games of the year.”

On Nov. 9, the Lakers face off against the Buffalo State Bengals who are .500 in conference play with a 3-3 record. Last season, Oswego State swept Buffalo State with two shutout victories. Alex DiCarlo and Rocco Andreacchi both scored in the victory for the Lakers.

The Bengals are led by goaltender Emil Norman who has played in every contest for Buffalo State this season. Through 11 games played, the netminder has posted a 2.56 goals against average with a .936 save percentage. 

On the offensive side, Buffalo State turns to Nikita Kozyrev who was the latest SUNYAC men’s hockey Athletic of the Week. The junior has seven goals and seven assists which leads the team in points this season. 

The following day, Oswego State will head further west on Interstate 90 to take on SUNY Fredonia. The Blue Devils split with the Lakers last season when Oswego State fell 4-5 to SUNY Fredonia in Blue Devils territory.

The 2-7 Blue Devils head into the contest led by sophomore Ryan Bailey with five goals and three assists. SUNY Fredonia is another conference team with a solidified starting goaltender as Logan Dyck has started every game this season. The junior posts a 3.30 goals against average and a .916 save percentage. 

The Lakers look to get their season back on track with two road games prior to the end of the first half of their 2022-23 season.

Photo Provided By Jim Feeney