"Right around this time last season, the Oswego State men’s ice hockey team ended its losing streak of over three years to the Plattsburgh Cardinals. Now, they have beaten their rivals in four straight contests. The thrilling 5-3 triumph at the Campus Center Ice Arena last Saturday night kept the Lakers undefeated on the season, in conference and at home in their last 23 games.
"These Boots were made for scoring. Those aren’t "boos" you hear at the Campus Center Ice Arena, those are "booooots." Junior transfer Ian Boots, coming from Division I Ohio State, is quickly becoming a fan favorite while simultaneously filling both Eric Selleck and Neil Musselwhite’s shoes (sporting #11 on the line with Justin Fox and Chris Laganiere). Boots has scored in four of his last five games, including netting the game winner against Plattsburgh with 1:39 left in the game and is second on the team with nine points in the early going.
"Home sweet home. Personally, I’ve still yet to witness a loss at the Campus Center Ice Arena, as the Lakers hold a 23 game home-winning streak coming into their game vs. SUNY Cortland on Friday, Nov. 12. No matter the situation or opponent, be it falling down 3-0 to Morrisville in last year’s SUNYAC playoffs, or fending off Plattsburgh right down to the wire Saturday night, the Lakers always seem to get the job done at home. To add to the domination in their barn, the Lakers haven’t even allowed one point to opponents in their last 23 home games, winning them all without the need of overtime. The Lakers last home loss? Feb 21, 2009 – Senior Night vs. SUNY Potsdam.
"Who are you calling fourth line? Coach Gosek’s creation of a Luke Moodie, Tyler Leimbrock, Matt Singleton fourth line worked wonders for the team this past weekend. After all three players were out of the lineup for the game against SUNY Fredonia two weeks ago, they combined for an eye-opening 12 points vs. Potsdam and Plattsburgh. Moodie netted four goals over the weekend, including a natural hat trick Friday night. Singleton picked up five assists, and Leimbrock, who had several chances, buried a go-ahead goal in the third period of the "Whiteout" game on Saturday.
"Well deserved shutout. Along with not losing a home game, another thing that the Lakers did not do last year was register a shutout. Junior Paul Beckwith, who has been nothing short of phenomenal this season, got a 3-0 shutout victory against Fredonia on Saturday afternoon two weeks ago. Beckwith has a 1.50 goals against average and a .944 save percentage.
"Road Trip. After Friday’s game vs. Cortland, four of the Lakers’ next five games are on the road. The games in Utica on Saturday, Nov. 13, Morrisville (11/20) and Geneseo (12/4) should especially be tough tests for the Lakers. Oswego State has played only one road game this season, a 4-2 win in Elmira back on October 23.
"Not much to complain about with a 6-0-0 start to the season, but if I had to pick something, it would be that this version of the Oswego State Lakers isn’t as flashy as the one last season. We’ve seen less odd-man rushes and more garbage goals, less seven-goal margins and more two-goal differences in games. But the bottom line is they are getting the job done, and when the season is over, whether they win their last game 1-0, or 12-2, as long as they come out on top, I don’t think anyone will complain.
