Amidst much anticipation for this year’s Whiteout showdown between Oswego State and SUNY Plattsburgh, there is an intriguing matchup that will be key to watch: the potent junior class offense of the Lakers and the tenured senior class defense of the Cardinals.
The Lakers’ offense this season features seven juniors, including two prominent goal scorers in Alex Botten and Shawn Hulshof. On the other side, the Cardinals’ defense is rich in experience, with proven senior defenders, Alex Calabrese and Rich Botting, up front.
Last season, Hulshof and Botten led the Lakers in almost every major offensive category. Botten ranked second on the team in both points and shots, while Hulshof led in both categories, also leading the team in goals with 20.
Botten touched on how his team’s offense will fare against Plattsburgh’s experienced defense.
“We’ve seen them for two years so far, so it’s nothing we haven’t seen before,” Botten said. “But they’re a really good team, so it’s definitely going to be a good test for our forwards.”
Hulshof believes that the offense is well prepared for the challenge.
“I think we have a pretty good understanding of their strengths and weaknesses,” Hulshof said. “It’s always going to be a challenge, but we’ve done a lot this week to prepare for them, so I think we’ll be fine as long as we stick to the game plan.”
While they may have seen Plattsburgh’s defense in past seasons, this year’s matchup presents a new dynamic for the Lakers to face, as the Cardinal seniors are more determined for a victory in Oswego than ever before.
“It’s always a big game for us against Oswego, it’s a big rivalry,” Calabrese said. “But this one definitely means a lot to us because it’s our last ever [Whiteout game].”
In what will be their fourth Whiteout game of their careers on Friday, the senior defensemen said they are just as excited as any other year and the atmosphere will have the same effect.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Calabrese said. “You get chills every time you play there. It’s just such a crazy experience every time…there’s no reason it should be any different this time around.”
“It’s always a great atmosphere over there at Oswego,” fellow senior defender Botting added. “They’re a good team and it’s always a good game, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Not only will Oswego State’s offense be facing determined seniors on defense, they will also be facing one of two prominent Plattsburgh goalies, Spencer Finney and Brady Rouleau.
While Oswego will not know who will be starting until Friday, Botten said the Lakers’ offensive strategy will be the same no matter who Plattsburgh head coach Bob Emery decides to put in front of the net.
“We’re going to have the exact same approach no matter who they put out there,” Botten said. “Hammer pucks on net and play the game we know we can. That’s how we’re going to play and hopefully we can come out victorious.”
Well prepared, confident and ready to compete, both sides will clash on Friday in front of a sea of roaring white shirts and towels in the Marano Campus Center.
