After three-straight non-league games, the No. 12 Oswego State men’s hockey team will continue its extended stretch of road games at Buffalo State Friday night. The Lakers (5-3-0, 3-1-0 SUNYAC) come into the game after winning 8-0 vs. Plymouth State at the Utica Thanksgiving Tournament. The Bengals (5-3-0, 4-1-0 SUNYAC) last played on Dec. 1 against The College at Brockport in a 7-3 win.

The season series last year between Oswego State and Buffalo State was split. The Lakers won at Buffalo State in the first half of the season, but fell to the Bengals at home during the annual Teal Night in a tough 6-5 battle that went back and forth during the entire game.

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Last Time Out

OSW: The Lakers ended a three-game losing streak against Plymouth State on Nov. 30 in dominating fashion in an 8-0 shutout. David Richer was the goaltender for the Lakers after coming in relief for Cedric Hansen the night before, against Salve Regina University. During the game, Oswego State had eight different goal scorers, including Derek Brown, Mitch Emerson, Josh Zizek, Michael Gillespie, Joseph Molinaro, Max Novick, Colton Fletcher and Tyson Kirkby.

Oswego State’s power play also saw some success, scoring three goals while on the man-advantage. Kirkby, Fletcher and Gillespie were the players to score a goal while on the power play.

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BUF: In the Bengals’ 7-3 non-league game against The College at Brockport, Sam Maddox and Ryan Edgar both had three points. Maddox had two goals and an assist, while Edgar had a goal and two assists. Goaltender Connor Minch made 31 saves in the contest, including 12 saves in the second period and 10 in the third period.

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By the Numbers

RECORD

OSW: 5-3-0 (4-1-0 SUNYAC)

BUF: 5-3-0 (3-1-0 SUNYAC)

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GOALS (per game)

OSW: 34 (4.3)

BUF: 25 (3.1)

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SHOTS (per game) [shooting percentage]

OSW: 303 (37.9) [11.2%]

BUF: 246 (30.8) [10.2%]

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POWER PLAY (percentage)

OSW: 7-33 (21.2%)

BUF: 6-33 (18.2%)

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PENALTY KILL (percentage)

OSW: 26-38 (68.4%)

BUF: 28-33 (84.9%)

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Players to Watch

OSW: Anthony Passero

This seems like a cop-out, but Anthony Passero has had four assists in his last two games (both games were during the Thanksgiving Tournament in Utica). As he prepares to face his former team at his former rink, even though he is a year removed from playing for Buffalo State, it is surely in the back of his mind, playing in the rink that he called home. He also likely has family in attendance, since he is originally from Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, just across the border from Buffalo. With his linemates of Travis Broughman and Michael Gillespie, expect his passing to be key with two goal-heavy wingers.

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BUF: Zach Remers

Zach Remers is one of four players that is averaging at least a point per game right now with seven goals and an assist in eight games. While he has not been the most consistent, he has had two multi-point games this season, both of which were against SUNYAC opponents (The College at Brockport and SUNY Potsdam). He also scored in the 4-2 win over SUNY Geneseo earlier this season. His seven goals are going to be key against a team that is still trying to find its defensive chemistry with Oswego State.

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Starting Lineups (subject to change)

Oswego State

Forwards

Tyson Kirkby – Josh Zizek – Joseph Molinaro

Michael Gillespie – Anthony Passero – Travis Broughman

Derek Brown – Mitch Emerson – Alex DiCarlo

Tanner Spink – Joey Scorpio – Colton Fletcher

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Defense

Carter Allen – Tyler Currie

Max Novick – Chris MacMillan

Carson Vance – Tyler Antonucci

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Extra Forward

Jody Sullivan

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Goaltenders

David Richer

Cedric Hansen

Steven Kozikoski

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Scratches: Charlie Pelnik, Jeff Solow, Ryan Bunka, Josh LeBlanc

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Buffalo State

Forwards

Connor Zak – Bryan Colburn – Sam Maddox

Reid Bibb – Andrew Logar – Braeden Doust

Nikita Kozyrev – Vadim Vasjonkin – Zach Remers

Ryan Edgar – Ben Butcher – Anthony Tulipane

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Defense

Charles Barber – John Shively

Parker Allison – Colin O’Connor

Mike Guerrera – Hayden Ford

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Extra Skater

Brendan Zack

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Goaltenders

Emil Norman

Trevor Micucci

Connor Minch

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Prediction

This is going to be a tough game for both teams. With Buffalo State at home, that already gives them a slight advantage. They also have beaten SUNY Geneseo and do not have an extended losing streak like Oswego State did. However, the Lakers are coming off an 8-0 win and want to continue their winning ways, especially against another league opponent. Every two points is crucial in such a tight league.

With a full roster back after some suspensions on the road, it will be interesting to see what Oswego State can pull together. Given that the power play has seen some recent success (five goals in its last two games), that could be a key point for the Lakers.

Final prediction: Oswego State takes this one 4-2.

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Photo by Nicole Hube | The Oswegonian