Don Patrick (Fulton) netted the deciding goal at the 8:31 mark of the third period, lifting the Oswego State hockey team to a 5-3 win over visiting Buffalo State on Saturday, Feb. 12, at Romney Field House.

The goal not only was the game winner, it also gave the Lakers their second SUNY Athletic Conference regular season title in the last three years. By beating the Bengals, Oswego State finished with an 11-3 conference record and 22 points, a point ahead of Geneseo, which tied Potsdam on Saturday. Overall, the Lakers finished the regular season at 18-4-3 and will have a bye next weekend before hosting the semifinals on February 25th and 26th. 

Ryan Woodward (Picton, ONT) sealed the win scoring with 3:02 remaining in the game on assists from Patrick and Jocelyn Dubord (LaChenaie, QUE).

In goal for Oswego State, Ryan Scott (Williamsville) finished with 25 saves for his 11th victory of the season.

For Buffalo State, Sean Sheehan (Mt. Laurel, NJ) stopped 40 shots.

In the opening period, the hosts struck first as Trevor Gilligan (Saranac Lake) netted his third of the season 4:37 into the game. That lead was short-lived as the Bengals tied the score less than two minutes later on a goal from Jason Sirois (Feeding Hills, MA).

Gary Bowman (Evansville, WY) put Oswego State back in front by the end of the period scoring his seventh of the season and third in the last two games.

Buffalo State turned the tables on the Lakers in the second period, getting goals from Sean Burke (Barrie, ONT) and Matt Samson (West Vancouver, BC). For the Lakers, Jean-Simon Richard (Lorraine, QUE) scored on the power play, sending the game into the final period knotted at three goals apiece.

Buffalo State concluded its season at 5-17-3 overall and 1-10-3 in SUNYAC play.

Game summary 

Teams 1st 2nd 3rd F

Buffalo State (5-17-3, 1-10-3 SUNYAC) 1 2 0 3

#8 Oswego State (18-4-3, 11-3 SUNYAC) 2 1 2 5

Scoring summary

Buffalo State: Jason Sirois 1-1; Sean Burke 1-2; Matt Samson 1-1; Sean Castanga 0-1; Sean O'Connell 0-1.

Oswego State: Don Patrick 1-1; Ryan Woodward 1-0; J-S Richard 1-1; Trevor Gilligan 1-0; Gary Bowman 1-0; Jocelyn Dubord 0-2; Andy Rozak 0-1; Paul Perrier 0-1; Tony DiNunzio 0-1; Justin Perron 0-1.

Saves

Buffalo State: Sean Sheehan - 40

Oswego State: Ryan Scott - 25

Power Plays: Oswego State 1-for-6; Buffalo State 1-for-3