The Good and the Bad
There is good news from yesterday’s game and there is bad news. So, lets start with the good news. The Oswego State Lakers scored their first ECAC West goal since Dec. 5, 2015. The bad news is it wouldn’t help them get the win as they fell to the surging Buffalo State Bengals.
Where We Stand
Now sitting three points back from Buffalo State in the standings the Lakers are now in desperate times. Nobody thought their season would turn out like this. Nothing can go right for them. What’s even scarier is that Cortland won last night and are just four points back of Oswego State who has played two more games than the Red Dragons. Before we know it the Lakers could be looking at the sixth seed come playoffs or even miss them entirely.
Old Face, New Look
The ex Laker, Rachel Lenard, opened the scoring yesterday on the power play. If that isn’t a kick in the teeth I don’t know what is. Oswego State is struggling mightily and to have Lenard succeeding on her new team is a killer for the Lakers. Lenard has 11 points in just seven games with the Bengals.
Somewhat Improved
More goaltending issues hover over the Lakers. Madrigal recorded another loss yesterday after her lengthy unbeaten streak early in the season. She only made 17 saves yesterday on 20 shots faced. The defense was able to limit the amount of opportunities from last weekend but Madrigal couldn’t keep the puck out of the net.
Still Struggling
The offense finally was able to some create chances but again, couldn’t score enough to win. The top six forwards of the Lakers were non-existent again. Nearly every Laker primary scorer is in a slump right now and it needs to change fast. Lydia Cosgrove, a player not known for her ability to tickle the twine, scored the only Laker goal yesterday which was her first of the year.
Player To Watch
Lakers- The Entire Offense
The Lakers made baby steps yesterday after finally scoring in ECAC West but it wasn’t nearly enough. Every single forward for the Lakers needs to just find some way to score and it will most likely just be on a lucky bounce. But hey, at least it’s something.
Bengals- Rachel Lenard
She was one of the top Oswego State forwards before she left and now that she plays in a different jersey the Lakers seem to have no answer on who to plug into her spot. Could one player really dismantle an entire team like this? Lenard is averaging more than a point a game with her new team so look for her to produce again today.
By the Numbers
Standings
Lakers- 13 points [Fifth Place]
Bengals- 16 points [Fourth Place]
Goals Per Game
Lakers- 2.22
Bengals- 3.28
Power Play
Lakers- 11-62 (17.7%) [Tied for No. 20 in Div. III]
Bengals- 17-89 (19.1%) [No. 16 in Div. III]
Penalty Kill
Lakers- 37-44 (84.1%) [No. 33 in Div. III]
Bengals- 73-86 (84.9%) [No. 30 in Div. III]
*All stats are overall, not conference specific.
Game Prediction
The Bengals will continue their hot streak today. Oswego State is on such a slide right now that it’s hard to imagine when they will be able to right the ship. Their inability to score is what is really troublesome. At 1.62 goals per game in conference play the Lakers are in the bottom part of the nation in that category. The Bengals will win once again today and further advance their surprise season as playoffs inch closer and closer.
Bengals win 4-1
