OSWEGO, N.Y. – Oswego Men's Hockey closed out their preseason exhibition appearances with a matchup against the Nazareth Golden Flyers. Astart for the Lakers would award the Flyers a 1-0 lead. An elevated level of physicality in the 2nd period would give the Golden Flyers multiple powerplay advantages, on which they would capitalize, extending their lead to 3-2. A determined third period start by the Lakers would allow them to regain a lead and improve the scoreline to 4-3. A valiant effort made by Oswego in the final minutes of gameplay, would keep Nazareth at bay and secure a 4-3 win.
THE BASICS
Final Score:
Oswego 4 (0-0-0, 0-0 SUNYAC)
Nazareth College 3 (0-0-0, 0-0 UCHC)
Location: Deborah F. Stanley Arena | Oswego, N.Y.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lakers' first shift would be lackluster as Nazareth would score the first goal of the game 0:09 seconds in, off the opening faceoff. As play got underway Oswego settled in on defense, but Nazareth's momentum only picked up, keeping the Lakers in their zone for much of the first period.A handful of strong shots by Nazareth would test starting sophomore goaltender Brandon Milberg, but none of which would find the back of the net. A powerplay opportunity in favor of Oswego would end unsuccessfully, but an impressive tip by Jesse Horacek off fellow first year Patrick Haughian's point shot, would put the Lakers on the board on the following play at 12:28. The final minutes of the first period would turn into a very even 50/50 battle at both ends of the ice, with both teams fighting to break the 1-1 scoreline.
A brief intermission would give Oswego some time to reconvene. A strong second period start for the Lakers would catch the Golden Flyers off guard, gaining offensive possession almost immediately. A quick shot by first year Nico Paone would evade Nazareth keeper Lincoln Crosby, 5:21 into the 2nd, improving the score to 2-1. Just a minute and a half later, Nazareth would even the playing field notching their second goal on a powerplay advantage. A second penalty called on first year Mike Urgo would award the Flyers another powerplay advantage and a third goal at the 9:15 mark. With Nazareth back in the lead, 3-2, the physicality was visibly escalated, testing both teams' self-control in the final minutes of the period.
The third period would begin just as the second finished, fast and physical. A determined Laker offense wasted no time, gaining offensive possession and balancing the scoreboard once again with a goal by senior transfer Mike Kocsis, assisted by first year Justin Ryan at 8:14. The Lakers momentum continued because soon after the equalizer first year Jesse Horacek who scored their first collegiate goal earlier in the game, was not finished, scoring a fourth goal for the Lakers just over a minute later at the 9:25 mark. Oswego would continue to dominate in the following minutes, shutting down a few optimal scoring chances generated by the Golden Flyers. Nazareth made a last-ditch offensive effort, pulling their goalie and adding an extra Nazareth player for the final minute of play. An impressive series of saves by first year goalie Anthony Zolezzi would keep the Flyers at bay and secure a 4-3 victory for Oswego.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Lakers will return to action next Friday, November 1st, when they kick off their regular season against the reigning two-time National Champions, the Hobart Statesman. Puck drop @ 7:00 PM in the Cooler, Geneva, N.Y.
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