UTICA, N.Y. – Oswego Men's Hockey traveled to the Adirondack Bank Center this evening for the second time this season, but this time to face off against the Utica University Pioneers. Despite losing the opening faceoff, an energetic start by the Lakers would catch Utica off guard. Throughout the period, both teams traded possession and shots on net, but the game would remain scoreless heading into the 2nd period. Oswego would start the second period with the same energy they had in the early minutes of the first, but it would be quickly diminished by a determined Utica squad, finishing the second frame trailing 3-2. The final period was determined in the final moments with Oswego lessening their deficit to 4-3, but a late Pioneer goal secured a 5-3 victory over the Lakers.  

THE BASICS 
 
Final Score: 

Oswego 3 (6-5-2, 4-1-0 SUNYAC) 

Utica 5 (10-2-1, 6-1-1 UCHC) 

 
Location: Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium | Utica, N.Y. 

 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

Despite losing the opening faceoff, an energetic start by the Lakers would catch Utica off guard. The Pioneers would earn their first penalty of the game just 0:40 seconds in, giving Oswego an immediate powerplay advantage. A few solid shots would make it through to Utica netminder Ryan Piros, but the Lakers would be kept at bay by a connected Pioneer penalty kill for most of their powerplay. As the first period got underway, first year Colin Vassallo would serve the first penalty for Oswego for interference at the 7:48 mark. Utica had a pretty dominant showing on their first powerplay advantage but failed to break behind a vigilant Brandon Milberg. For the remainer of the first frame both teams traded possession and shots on net, but the game would remain scoreless heading into the 2nd period.  

The Lakers would start the second period with the same energy they had in the early minutes of the game, but it would be quickly diminished by a determined Utica squad. The Pioneers wasted no time putting a strong compilation of shots on Milberg, but they would all be rejected until Johnny Mulera notched the first of the game just 4 minutes into the period. Mulera's scoring initiative sent a shockwave of offensive energy through the Utica bench, as Drake Morse tallied a second goal just 0:34 seconds later. Now trailing 2-0, the Lakers kept the pressure on but would be held in their defensive zone for the following minutes. The Laker penalty kill would withstand another Utica powerplay and generate some scoring chances as play returned to even-strength. First year Brandon Cohen found a way to respond, putting Oswego on the board at the 12:21 mark, but the Pioneers did not let up, regaining a two-goal lead over the Lakers just 2 minutes later at 14:18. As the 2nd period clock began to expire, the Lakers fought hard, lessening their deficit to 3-2 before the buzzer with a goal score by team captain Matthew McQuade. 

The beginning minutes of the third period would be a physical back-and-forth battle with both teams fighting hard for every inch. Although the Pioneers failed to score on their third powerplay advantage, they would maintain possession in even-strength and collect a fourth goal on the following play at 11:27. Now trailing 4-2, Oswego kept their foot on the gas but would still struggle to find consistent offensive momentum. In a last-ditch effort, head coach Ed Gosek pulled Milberg with 2 and a half minutes remaining. This high-risk play luckily had a high reward, as McQuade would find the back of the net for a second time at the 18:36 mark. Unfortunately, the 4-3 scoreline was short-lived with Alexander Gullichsen securing Utica the 5-3 win over Oswego, with a goal scored with 0:40 seconds remaining on the clock.  

WHAT'S NEXT 
 

Oswego Men's Hockey will continue on the road tomorrow January 11th, traveling to Rochester, N.Y. where they will face off against the Nazareth Golden Flyers in the Tim Hortons IcePlex. Puck drop is set to commence at 5:00 PM.  

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