Oswego State is searching for answers after a third-straight loss. After a strong non-league start, the Lakers have struggled in NEWHL play. They are now 3-6-2 in NEWHL play and are in danger of staying in third place, meaning they would have to play a road league playoff game.

This afternoon is another rivalry matchup, as Buffalo State stays in town to complete the two-game series. The Lakers won the first two games in Buffalo, and the Bengals will look to return the favor at the Marano Campus Center Ice Arena.

Last Time Out

Friday afternoon, Buffalo State defeated Oswego State by a score of 3-1. In a chippy rivalry game, the Lakers once again had a tough time scoring. Their only tally came in the third period, when Jean-marie Padden notched her fifth goal on the year. Both teams have struggled on the power play all season, and it showed. Of the 17 penalties committed by both teams, only two resulted in goals, one for each team. Buffalo State looks to keep the momentum going this afternoon, while Oswego State will look to get something going in the right direction before the playoffs begin.

By The Numbers

Record (Conference)

OSW: 8-7-3 (3-6-2)

BUF: 6-11-2 (3-8-1)

Goals (Per Game)

OSW: 39 (2.2)

BUF: 32 (1.7)

Shots (Per Game)

OSW: 553 (30.7)

BUF: 482 (25.4)

Power Play (Percentage)

OSW: 6-71 (8.5%)

BUF: 7-89 (7.9%)

Keys to the Game

Oswego State

The Lakers need to go back to the fundamentals of hockey. They won every statistical category yesterday by a wide margin, including dominating the face-off circle and shot battle. However, where it counted, they lost 3-1. Sloppy passes need to be cleaned up and puck control is essential, especially down in Buffalo State’s end. With only a few games remaining, Oswego State needs to get back to the basics if it wants to return to the NEWHL championship game.

Buffalo State

Buffalo State needs to do better in the face-off circle. Bri Gawronski was huge in net yesterday, but they cannot rely on her to carry them every night moving forward. Oswego State was unable to capitalize last night when it dominated the face-off dot, but if it keeps winning those battles, something will fall. The Bengals cannot afford to allow all those chances if they want to leave Oswego State with a weekend sweep.

Players to Watch

OSW: Jean-marie Padden

Padden has had a stellar sophomore season for the Lakers. She netted her fifth goal yesterday which tied her for the team lead along with Eryn Stewart. Padden has also notched three assists throughout the season to add to her point total. She has been everywhere for the Lakers on offense this year, and they will need another big game from her this afternoon to get the team back on track.

BUF: Bri Gawronski

Gawronski racked up 43 saves last night en route to a Bengals victory. The sophomore has started all 19 games for Buffalo State and has stopped 92 percent of the shots she has faced. Friday was no exception, as Gawronski came up big time and time again. She has been the anchor for the Bengals all season long and is the key for any Buffalo State win.

Final Thoughts

It is hard to call any game a must-win, but Oswego State needs to start putting up wins in the column as the playoffs loom closer. Friday was the first chance to right the ship and the Lakers failed to do so. For Buffalo State, last game was a huge confidence boost for a team that had previously lost five straight.

Oswego State still has the talent to knock off the Bengals. It dominated every facet of the game except for on the scoreboard. If the Lakers can get a couple of bounces past Bri Gawronski, there is a good chance the Lakers can end the weekend with a series split.