The Oswego State men’s hockey team is back and ready to get their season started tomorrow against Hobart College and seek redemption after losing out on last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lakers fell to SUNY Geneseo by a score of 4-1 in the SUNYAC championship game back in March of 2020, but are back and rejuvenated for this season.

After a 6-4 exhibition loss to Utica College to start off the pre-season, the Lakers defeated SUNY Canton 9-1 in dominating fashion at home. Junior forward Josh LeBlanc led the way scoring a hattrick and adding an assist,  Junior Travis Broughman scored twice and Sophomore Trent Grimshaw had a goal and three assists.

The Lakers take on Hobart College in their first matchup of the season, a team that beat them 4-1 back in the 2019-20 season. Oswego State aims to turn the tide in this one as they look to get their season started off on the right foot. Head coach Ed Gosek believes that his team is locked and loaded headed into their heavyweight matchup.

“It will be a heck of a tilt, they are a very good team,” Gosek said. “We’re getting better each week, we’re a working progress but we like the direction that we’re going.”

Broughman knows that this game will be a tough one as well but feels like his squad is ready for battle. He believes that the team has done enough practicing and watching film to be able to pick up a win on Friday.

“We know that they’re going to come hard, they play a smart, fast and hard game and they play it right,” Broughman said. “But we’re ready, we know what we can do and we have watched video and have done everything we possibly can to be ready, so we just have to go out there and execute, and I think the boys are absolutely fired up to actually get started.”

After almost two years of not being able to suit up can definitely take a toll on a team and its chemistry in the locker room. LeBlanc feels like this is not the case for the Lakers and believes that the two exhibition games were a good way to be able to get back into the swing of things.

“Well I think that after two years, we need those exhibition games to get the rust off,” LeBlanc said. “I know a lot of guys that are on that same boat, they picked up other things to do like train and play golf to keep busy but I think playing those exhibition games helped us click as a unit and get used to everything like the crowd, the refs and the atmosphere.”

In the second exhibition game against SUNY Canton, LeBlanc recorded a hattrick which is something to feel very accomplished for in the hockey world. LeBlanc scored two goals in the first period and finally cashed in his third one in the third period. Happy would be an understatement for how he felt after putting in his third goal of the night.

“Oh man, it’s been a while, the last time I scored a hattrick was my last year of Juniors when I was 20,” LeBlanc said. “Honestly man, everyone is always talking about it when you get two, they say “you need to get that third one” and yeah, it just worked out well, I got a pass right in the middle, deked the defender and slipped it passed the 5-hole, and it felt so awesome but I didn’t even celebrate because I wanted to keep my composure for the rest of the game, but it felt great.”

A focal point for many teams this season will be the new players that will be making their debuts after losing many top scorers from two years ago. That will certainly be the case for the Lakers this season, but the team is quite confident that they can get the job done. Players like Sophomore forwards Tyler Flack and Jackson Arcan will look to make their presence felt early on this year.

“Every college team usually gets a big freshman class, so I think what separates a lot of really good teams is how good that class is,” LeBlanc said. “I think we have exceptional freshman and sophomore classes, especially our sophomores, we have a lot of guys with character. It’s not all skill, you need guys who can play through adversity and I think we have a lot of different depth in that sophomore class and I think that’s going to help us big time.”

Broughman also believes that the Lakers have a loaded younger group of players. He thinks that they have looked comfortable so far while heading into the new season.

“They look good, they bring in a lot of talent and bigger bodies, especially Jackson Arcan, he can shoot and do a lot of things well,” Broughman said. “Flacker is just a nice “go” guy and is a great player and great passer, he does everything right, so just having these young guys step up to the plate is great for the senior class to look at.” 

High praise from two natural-born leaders like Broughman and LeBlanc is certainly encouraging for the younger guys on the team. Leadership has always been part of Broughman’s game, LeBlanc as well, and as practice started to wind down on thursday, the team was visited by Broughman’s mother, who had some big news. She broke the news to the team that her son is going to be the next captain for the Lakers, along with LeBlanc being named the alternate captain. Being named captain is truly an honor, and Broughman is grateful for that. 

“It’s an honor to be up there with LeBlanc wearing the “A”, he’s my co-pilot, pretty much since I’ve been here, for four years, we’ve been through it all together,” Broughman said. “Obviously being able to lead this team will hopefully lead us to some more victories and bring a championship home.”

The Lakers open the season at home where they will see massive support from the students and community of Oswego. Gosek had a message for the fans before the home-opener.

“I know it’s not easy for them with all of the COVID vaccinations and restrictions, so we are grateful for their support,” Gosek said. “We’re excited, after 18 months off to be able to get out there. Our community support, the fans here have always been a big part of Laker hockey, and we’re appreciative of that and all they do for us.”

The Lakers take on Hobart College at “The Deb” and look to capitalize on their two exhibition wins with their season opener of their season with a big win.