In the last regular season game for both teams, the Oswego State men’s hockey team fell to SUNY Cortland in overtime on Feb. 16. Traveling to Cortland proved to be a tough task for the Lakers. Cortland scored first in the second period to open up the scoring of the game. 

After trailing Cortland 1-0, Shane Bull equalized for the Lakers. Bull was assisted by Connor Gatto in what was his 18th assist on the season. Bull scored 21 goals on the season after his one against Cortland, leading the team in that category. 

After a scoreless third period, the game was headed to overtime. Under two minutes into overtime, Red Dragons forward John Kuhl scored and took home victory for Cortland.

Although the men’s hockey team would have liked to win their final regular season game of the year, they still received a first-round bye for the first round of the SUNYAC playoffs. 

Bull leads the Lakers in goals, with 21. Bull is followed by Tyler Flack, with 16 goals on the season. Flack leads the Lakers in assists with 23, and is followed by Bull with 20.

Flack and Bull have been a dangerous duo for opposing SUNYAC defenses. Connor Gatto came in third place for the Lakers hockey team in points with 23 points. 18 of those points came from assists. Gatto will be an important player for the Lakers in years to come. 

As the no.2 seed, the Lakers will receive a home-ice advantage and also receive a first-round bye. SUNY Geneseo also received a first-round bye for the SUNYAC playoffs, as the Knights ended their season in first place.  

Getting a first-round bye will help the Lakers better prepare for their SUNYAC semifinal matchup. The winner of the no.4 versus no.5 seed game, Cortland and SUNY Brockport, will travel to Oswego for the SUNYAC semifinals. The Lakers are yet to beat the Red Dragons this season, losing twice and tying one game.

Brockport, on the other hand, is the favored matchup for the Lakers. The Lakers beat the Golden Eagles twice this season, first by a score of 2-1 and followed by a score of 5-1.

On the other side of the playoffs, Geneseo gets the first-round bye and awaits the winner of the no.3 Plattsburgh State and no.6 SUNY Potsdam game. 

The Geneseo Knights have the most goals scored on the season with 73 goals for and 31 against. Plattsburgh is a close second with 68 goals accounted for. 

The Lakers’ defense is where they have shined. With a league-leading 29 goals against, the Lakers have proved that their defense can halt the opposing team when needed. 

The Lakers will host the SUNYAC semifinals at the Deborah F. Stanley Arena on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. 

With a win, the Lakers will punch their ticket to the SUNYAC championship, which will be held on March 2. 

Photo by: Oswego Athletics