Close One
Morrisville State was able to keep last night’s game close through the entirety of the first period. The Mustangs were also able to tie the game early in the second on a David Landau power play marker. This goal was just the third time the Oswego State penalty killing surrendered a goal. The Lakers’ penalty killing unit still sits atop the SUNYAC with a 92.3 percent success rate after last night.
Oswego State answered shortly after to make it a 2-1 game and then two third period goals, both from Shawn Hulshof, moved the Lakers past the Mustangs after a close start. With home ice advantage tonight, fans at the Marano Campus Center Ice Arena most likely won’t see the same kind of start.
Top Six Success
The Lakers’ top six and power play carried the offense last night. That leadership from the upperclassmen and ability to get things done when needed was not always evident last season, but this class has been the driving factor offensively in most games this year. Those six forwards will remain the same tonight and should be able to have another night filled with plenty of chances against this relatively young defense.
Teddy Bear Toss
Tonight’s game will feature the first ever teddy bear toss held at Oswego State. After the Lakers score their first goal, each fan who brought a bear will throw it on the ice. All bears will be donated to the United Way after the game. This tradition first grew popular in western Canada. The Kamloops Blazers were the first to start the event in 1993-1994 and it has spread ever since.
In the Crease
David Jacobson will start tonight as expected. The transfer will appear in his fifth game of the year tonight. Jacobson has allowed only six goals all season, with the third best save percentage (.940) and goals against average (1.50) in the SUNYAC. Jacobson only trails fellow teammate, Matt Zawadzki, and Buffalo State goaltender Mike DeLaVergne. Goaltending has been a staple for the Lakers all season, and the goalie tandem is alive and well in Oswego.
Lineup Card
Laker head coach Ed Gosek will opt for some fresh faces in the lineup tonight. The top six will stay the same after their impressive night on Friday, but Cameron Berry, TJ Sneath, Tyson Bruce, Josh Zizek and Charlie Pelnik will all draw in. Jody Sullivan is out along with freshman Aaron Huffnagle after his two-penalty night 24 hours ago. Dave Ferriera, Chris Waterstreet and JJ Hart will also be scratches tonight for the Lakers.
Bruce and Sneath will be in the lineup for the second time this season. Zizek will play in his fourth contest of the year after not playing since the comeback win over SUNY Geneseo on Nov. 5.
OSW Lines:
Neil-Botten-Hulshof
Herlihey-Barton-Galati
Davies-Zizek-Emerson
Berry-Sneath-Bruce
Defense:
Brun-Pelnik
Johnson-Rutkowski
Raguseo-MacMillan
Goalie:
Jacobson
Players to Watch
Lakers-Tyson Bruce
Bruce will get another chance to impress the coaching staff tonight. He has been absent from the lineup since Nov. 11 against SUNY Cortland. The former Markham Royal can score, as he proved at the junior level, scoring 31 goals in 54 games.
Mustangs-David Landau
Landau scored the only Mustang goal last night and was one of the better Morrisville State defenseman playing big minutes. He will need to hold his own and help anchor the young defense core, despite only being a sophomore.
By the Numbers
Record
OSW: 8-0-0/6-0-0 (No. 1/1)
MOR: 1-6-2/1-5-1
Goals per Game
OSW: 5.12 [2nd in SUNYAC]
MOR: 3.00 [T6th in SUNYAC]
Goals Against per Game:
OSW: 1.38 [1st in SUNYAC]
MOR: 5.00 [9th in SUNYAC]
Power Play
OSW: 11-38 (28.9%) [3rd in SUNYAC]
MOR: 11-50 (22.0%) [6th in SUNYAC]
Penalty Kill
OSW: 36-39 (92.3%) [1st in SUNYAC]
MOR: 51-74 (68.9%) [9th in SUNYAC]
Game Prediction
Oswego State got it done on the road last night. It was not the best game the Lakers have played, but their talent got them by with a 4-1 win. If Morrisville State cannot stay out of the box, the second best power play unit in the SUNYAC could have its way tonight. Jacobson stays sharp, the top six takes over again, and Oswego State will prepare to go on the road to face Buffalo State and SUNY Fredonia with 10 wins under its belt.
Lakers win 5-1
