Last Time Out

Last night No. 5/7 Oswego State went on the road to the Ira S. Wilson Ice Arena and tied No. 7/6 SUNY Geneseo, splitting two valuable conference points. This result moved the Lakers record to 5-1-1 overall and 3-0-1 in SUNYAC play. The College at Brockport played on home ice last night and knocked off the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons by a score of 3-1 to pick up two conference points and locking themselves into a two-way tie for second place with Oswego State with seven points apiece.

History

Tonight will mark the 101st contest between the Lakers and the Golden Eagles and the all-time series has been dominated by Oswego State who have won 89 off those 100 games, while getting points in another six. The Lakers 89 percent winning percentage against the College at Brockport is their best mark against any team in the SUNYAC.

Rotation

Oswego State went with David Richer against SUNY Geneseo last night, and the redshirt sophomore came up big for the Lakers with some skillful saves to make sure the game ended in a tie. Richer and his 24 saves on 26 shots last night will take a spot on the bench tonight as Cedric Hansen returns to the net for his fourth start of the season to ensure the goaltending rotation will continue for at least another weekend.

Lineup Card

OSW

Offense:

Herlihey-Emerson-Gillespie

Huffnagle-Zizek-Spink

Molinaro-Berry-Scorpio

Defense:

Allen-Brun

Campbell-Currie

Novick-MacMillan

Goalies:

Hansen

Richer

Nolan

Max Novick returns to the lineup tonight after serving a one-game suspension for a hit during the Lakers game against SUNY Fredonia on Nov. 18. He will step in for sophomore Charlie Pelnik who committed a turnover that directly led to a SUNY Geneseo breakaway last night, which was stopped by David Richer. The only other change besides the goaltenders in Tanner Spink slotting in the second line for A.J. D’Orazio.

BPT

Offense:

Verbeke-Kielich-Sikich

Horan-Shapiro-Laslo

Gentzler-Visnick-Bennett

Defense:

McMartin-Pollini

Carville-Romeo

Bass-Winn

Goalies:

Schneider

Moore

Lincoln

Players to Watch

OSW- Michael Gillespie

Gillespie scored his second goal in a Laker uniform last night in his seventh game, but it is clear by his team-leading 27 shots that he is on the verge of breaking through. An important goal against a conference rival such as SUNY Geneseo may be what the former Div. I talent needed to spark a hot streak where the sophomore is able to finish on more than just 7.4 percent on his shooting chances.

BPT- Aidan Verbeke

Verbeke is a pure scoring talent for the Golden Eagles and is always a threat to control a game. With eight goals and nine assists through ten games, the College at Brockport captain will be a handful for the Lakers defense corps. There is no doubt the Elmwood Park, Ill. native will be looking to grow his 1.7 points per game average.

Prediction

These teams are tied in the standings, but this could not be more lopsided. As the Lakers are coming off what is always an exhausting game on the road at SUNY Geneseo, this could be looked at as a trap game for Oswego State. But, with this offense showing there has been progress in finding scoring outside of Josh Zizek’s seven goals, the Lakers are primed to steam past a lesser opponent at some point. In front of a home crowd at Marano Campus Center Ice Arena, tonight will be that night.

Prediction: Oswego State wins 6-1.