The Oswego State men’s ice hockey team will be traveling on the road for its season opener as it takes on SUNY Geneseo on Friday night.
This is game not only opens the team’s regular season schedule, but its league slate as well. The Lakers lost their exhibition game on Oct. 24 against the CCHL All-Graduate team to kick off the 2015-2015 season, 6-3.
On Friday, the Lakers face an opponent that has given its current roster some trouble over the last two seasons, splitting the season series each time. Oswego State may have the edge tonight as it usually grabs its win in the set at Ira B. Wilson Arena. It was in Geneseo where the Lakers captured the 2014 SUNYAC championship.
This will be a classic matchup of offense (Oswego State) versus defense (Geneseo).
The Lakers return many of their top scorers from last year, including reigning SUNYAC Player of the Year Shawn Hulshof. But, face some question marks in front of their experience tandem of goalies, junior Matt Zawadzki and senior Justin Gilbert. Oswego State graduated half of its defensive core from a year ago, leaving some big shoes to fill.
Geneseo may take a step back this year after losing their top two goalies Bryan Haudy and Nick Horrigan to graduation. However, the blow may be softened by the experience this team has at the blue line. The Knights return eight of nine defensemen from last season’s roster.
Another note to make will be the head start Oswego State has this season. The Lakers kicked off their season a week ago with an exhibition contest, while the Knights will be seeing their first live action on Friday night.
Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
What To Watch For:
Head coach Ed Gosek did not say who he planned on starting in the goal after last week’s exhibition and said that he would notify his players on Thursday night. Although Matt Zawadski started played in 19 games last season and was selected second team All-SUNYAC, senior Justin Gilbert went 6-1-2 in the 10 games he appeared in.
Zawadski will most likely be the starter based on talent, but Gilbert may get a look between the pipes or even replace Zawadski if he struggles to start out the season.
Prediction: 3-3
Both of these teams are taking hits one way or another on defense. The Knights lost their goalies while the Lakers lost their defensemen. Oswego State did score three goals in its exhibition matchup, but that team won’t be nearly as tough as Geneseo.
