Geneva, N.Y. – Oswego Men's Hockey opened up their regular season with  a matchup against the #1 ranked and defending champions the Hobart Statesmen. A fast start for the Statesmen would award them a 1-0 lead off of a powerplay goal. Hobart would add a second goal in the first period and take a demanding 2-0 lead. Goals by Matt McQuade, Ryan Burke would bring the deficit down to one before entering the third period. A determined third period start by the Statesmen would elevate the scoreline to 5-2. This would be too much to overcome as the Lakers stumble out the gates in their regular season road opener. 

THE BASICS

Final Score: 

Oswego 2 (0-1-0, 0-0 SUNYAC) 

Hobart and William Smith 5 (1-0-0, 0-0 NEHC)
Location: The Cooler, Geneva, NY

HOW IT HAPPENED 

The Lakers traveled to the Cooler for the home opener of both the Lakers and the Hobart Statesmen. Hobart came in  ranked #1 in the 23-24 USCHO Preseason poll and are defending champions. The Statesmen came out and took a strong early possession as they were able to grab an advantage two minutes into the game that put the Lakers Forward in the penalty box. Off the early power play the Statesmen capitalized and netted a goal past the Lakers defense that saw the momentum completely shift in favor of the home crowd. The Lakers had their backs against their wall for the majority of the first period as their offense could not maintain control of the puck. On the flip side the Lakers defense stayed strong as they faced an onslaught of shots against keeper Brandon Milberg. The Lakers would eventually falter as the Statesmen netted a second goal at the 11:39 mark to make the score 2-0 Hobart in the first period. After falling down early the Lakers bounced back with the remainder of the first as they upped the urgency and had a flurry of shots against Hobarts keeper before they were able to draw a power-play of their own with 19 seconds to go in period one.

The Lakers would be unsuccessful on this power-play but it was able to spark enough momentum that a few minutes into the second they were able to break the ice as Ryan Burke was able to bury a goal for the Lakers first point of the season, The Lakers goal brought back some intensity to the match and the Statesmen and Lakers would race back and forth down the ice each trading opportunities before the Lakers were able to draw another power-play. With Hobart being down shorthanded they were able to create a quick steal and possession that ended with a tickle of the twine for the third time, Lakers trailed 3-1. The Lakers, still with the advantage were finally able to use such and were able to set up Oswego's first power play goal from Matt McQuad with assists credited to Connor Gato and Daniel Colabufo. The Lakers still trailed 2-3 but with this goal, the tension and level of play tightened. Neither team would budge off from the scoreline as the Lakers outlasted two of the Statesmen power plays to finish the second. 

The Lakers defense would continue to shine throughout the beginning of the third period but it was largely the same problem as earlier in the game, a lot of opportunities for the Statesmen and very little puck control for the Lakers. The Lakers would again outlast another Hobart power play with 10 minutes to go in the game. With five minutes left on the clock and the score staying at a close 3-2, the Lakers found themselves in a face-off in their own end. Off a Hobart win, defensemen Callum Chau was able to snipe a goal that would put the Lakers down two goals with only four minutes left. Shortly after this deflating goal the Lakers defense would succumb again to Hobart as the netted their fifth goal of the season and the game and would put the score at a decisive 5-2 Statesmen.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Lakers return home tomorrow night, November 2nd, with their regular season home opener against #10 ranked Elmira. Puck drop @ 7:00 PM!  Be there to support as the Lakers have their Teal game against Ovarian Cancer.

 
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