GENESEO, N.Y. – The nationally-ranked Oswego State men's ice hockey team used its special teams to avenge an early season loss to Geneseo with a 2-1 victory at Ira S. Wilson Ice Arena on Saturday night. Oswego's win gives the squad sole possession of first place in the SUNYAC. Saturday's two points bumped the Lakers to 25 in the conference, one more than rival Plattsburgh, who comes to the Marano Campus Center Arena at 7 p.m. next Saturday for Whiteout Weekend. A Laker win in that game, which will feature two of the highest ranked teams in the country, would clinch the regular season SUNYAC title.
 
Students can pick up their free ticket for the game against the Cardinals tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 15 from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Marano Campus Center Box Office.
 
After surrendering a goal to Nate Brown and the Knights in the first period to trail 1-0 at the first intermission, No. 2/2 Oswego's special teams made itself known in the second period.
 
Earning a power-play opportunity for a Geneseo high-stick at 4:29 of the second, the Lakers needed just 12 seconds to capitalize on the chance. Senior Bobby Gertsakis received a pass from Mike Montagna and found Alex Botten for a score at 4:41, which represented the equalizer, knotting the game at 1-1.
 
The Lakers wasted no time after another Knights penalty was logged at 5:04. At 5:55, Gertsakis and Botten teamed up once again, this time assisting on a goal for Kenny Neil, giving the Lakers a 2-1 advantage on what would prove to be the game-winner.
 
Oswego's power-play group was not the only part of the special teams' unit to step up in the middle period, as the Lakers' penalty kill was on point. In the second, Geneseo registered four different extra-man opportunities, with Oswego killing off each one to preserve the 2-1 edge heading into the final intermission.
 
The penalty-kill unit stopped Geneseo once more in the third period to make it 0-for-5 on the night to help secure the victory.
 
Matt Zawadzki earned another win on the season, saving 19 Knight shots while allowing just one goal. On the year, the sophomore owns a 10-1-1 record when between the pipes for the Lakers.