OSWEGO, N.Y. – Oswego Men's Hockey hosted the No.2 Adrian College Bulldogs this afternoon in a non-conference matchup on Military Appreciation Night. A quick start by both teams made it difficult for either to gain consistent momentum, but the Bulldogs managed to strike first putting two back-to-back goals in before the end of the first period. A growing 4-0 shutout would be erased by a Laker power play goal late in the second. The back-and-forth nature of the third period would emulate the 1^st, but Oswego managed to add to the scoreboard this time lessening Adrian's lead to 4-2. A last-ditch offensive effort by the Lakers would just not cut it, falling 4-2 to Adrian at the final buzzer. 

THE BASICS 
 
Final Score: 
Oswego 2 (0-0-0, 0-0 SUNYAC) 
Adrian College 4 (3-1-0, 0-0 MIAA) 

Location: Deborah F. Stanley Arena | Oswego, N.Y. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
As the first period got underway, an eager start from both teams would make it hard to gain consistent offensive momentum. After a deadlocked beginning minutes, the Lakers would have a handful of solid shooting chances testing Bulldog goaltender Dershahn Stewart, before earning a power play opportunity at 14:48. As Adrian returned to even-strength they wasted no time, gaining offensive entry and capitalizing on a miscommunication between first year net minder Gavin McCarthy and the Laker defensemen, notching the first goal of the game at 16:56. The Bulldogs did not let up, tallying a second goal just 11 seconds later, extending their lead to 2-0 heading into the second period. 
 
After a lackluster end to the first period, Oswego came out looking to strike early. Despite generating a series of shots and passing plays on their left-over power play, the Lakers would remain unsuccessful. A connected breakout and transition would send Adrian up the ice on an odd-man rush, on which they would collect a third unanswered goal at the 6:50 mark of the second period. Sophomore Brandon Milberg would replace McCarthy in net for Oswego following this goal. Although achieving a comfortable lead, the Bulldogs weren't content with just 3 goals, adding a fourth to the scoreboard just 5 minutes later at 12:10. A second power play opportunity for Oswego would award sophomore Travis Baker a prime shooting chance above the circles in Adrian's zone, on which he would sneak between the left arm and pad of Stewart, erasing Adrian's shutout with just less than 3 minutes remaining in the second period. 
 
The early minutes of the 3^rd period would emulate the back-and-forth nature of the first, with both programs taking turns on offense. A clutch finish by first year Ryan Burke would lessen Adrian's lead to 4-2 around the halfway mark of the period. As the clock began to tick down, the Lakers turned on the burners, battering Stewart with a compilation of shots and maintaining offensive possession. Head Coach Ed Gosek would pull Milberg with a minute and 25 seconds remaining in hopes of finding success with an extra player before the final buzzer. A few Hail Mary attempts to score on Oswego's empty net would only result in icings, leaving the Bulldogs on top 4-2 at the final whistle.  
 
WHAT'S NEXT 
 
Wear your White and pack the Deb next Friday, November 15^th for this year's Whiteout Weekend matchup against historical rival SUNY Plattsburgh. Puck drop will commence at 7:00 PM in Deborah F. Stanley Arena. Go Lakers!! 

Written By: Matilda Pethrick