The Oswego State men's ice hockey team scored five goals in a nine-minute span in the first period to take control of the game in a 9-1 win over Johnson & Wales on Friday at the Campus Center Ice Arena in Oswego.
The Lakers, ranked second nationally, are off to their best start in school history with a 10-0-3 record.
Ryan Ellis, Brendan McLaughlin, and Rich Zalewski all scored two goals each to lead the Laker offense. Brad Dormiedy, Tony DiNunzio, and Ryan Woodward also scored for Oswego State, who outshot the visiting Wildcats 55-17.
Ellis opened the scoring for Oswego State with 10:38 remaining in the first period. Woodward scored less than two minutes later to double the lead.
Dormiedy made an outstanding individual effort on Oswego State's third goal, carrying the puck from the neutral zone, around three defenders, and then roofing a backhand shot underneath the crossbar to make it 3-0. Back-to-back goals by Zalewski and McLaughlin gave Oswego State a 5-0 lead and they cruised from there.
"We were unselfish all night long," Laker coach Ed Gosek said. "It's easy to get selfish in a game like that and we continued to move the puck well. Defensively we did a good job of limiting their shots."
DiNunzio's goal was a power-play marker in the second period.
McLaughlin and Ellis scored two goals in a span of 16 seconds early in the third, and a late goal from Zalewski rounded out the scoring. Zalewski finished the game with five points on two goals and three assists. McLaughlin had four points and Ellis had three, as they continue to lead the team in scoring, and rank among the top-10 scorers in Division III.
Laker goalie Chris Hyk improved to 3-0-0 on the season by making 16 saves. The only goal he allowed was a power-play goal by Adam Frew, assisted by Zach Cobb, in the third period. Johnson & Wales goalie Brian Noiles had 46 saves.
The Lakers will host Johnson & Wales again on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Campus Center Ice Arena. Fans are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the game for the college's toy drive.
