OSWEGO, N.Y. – Oswego Men's Hockey kicked off their annual Holiday Tournament by hosting the Neumann University Knights. A consistent effort by the Lakers would be rewarded with multiple powerplay opportunities and a 3-0 lead heading into the second period. A chippy finish to the first period would increase the level physicality and intensity in the second period, but Oswego would not waiver, dominating on the penalty kill and adding 3 goals to the scoreboard. Despite a healthy 6-0 lead, the Lakers didn't take their foot off the gas, collecting two more goals before the buzzer. The Laker would pull away from the evening with an 8-0 victory over the Knights.
THE BASICS
Final Score:
Oswego 8 (4-4-2, 4-1-0 SUNYAC)
Neumann 0 (7-2-2, 5-1-2 MAC)
Location: Deborah F. Stanley Arena | Oswego, N.Y.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A strong opening faceoff win would give the Lakers a quick first turn in Neumann's zone before a shot from first year Nico Paone would be blocked and turned up the ice by the Knights. A series of shots by Neumann on starting goaltender Brendan Milberg would give him a good feel for the puck early on. As the period got underway, the Knights began to apply pressure on Oswego's defenseman, standing their ground in corner battles and picking up second chances in front of the net. A loose puck chipped out by the Lakers would be picked up by Jesse Horacek in the neutral zone. The first year kept his feet moving and headed up the ice on a pressured breakaway, on which he would finish a five-hole goal on opposing net minder Cole DeFazio at the 13:49 mark. A few minutes later, Ryan Burke picked off a mishandled puck by a Neumann defender, sending him and Horacek past the Neumann defenseman. A deceptive pass by Burke would find Horacek cross crease for a one-timer that would sneak between the glove and pad of DeFazio, improving the score to 2-0 at 11:32. As final minutes of the period began to approach, the Knights would suffer an interference penalty giving Oswego the first powerplay opportunity of the game. First year, Justin Ryan would add one more to the tally at the 4:21 mark, closing out the first period with a 3-0 lead over the Knights.
A chippy finish to the 1st, would put the Lakers on the penalty kill for the beginning minute and a half of the second period. Although having a handful of good scoring chances, the Knights would be kept at bay as a connected Oswego PK unit returned to full strength. 5-on-5 play wouldn't last long as defenseman Josh Richards would be sent to the box for an interference penalty at the 14:43 mark. Another solid powerplay by Neumann would keep the Lakers on their toes, but as their second consecutive powerplay expired they would remain scoreless. As play returned to even-strength once again, Colin Vassallo added a fourth unanswered goal to the scoreboard at 11:12. Despite mounting a healthy lead over the Knights, Oswego continued to generate offense. Jesse Horacek would complete his first career hat trick with just under 5 minutes to go in the 2nd period. Team captain Matt McQuade wouldn't be phased, notching a nifty backhanded goal to end the period with a 6-0 lead.
The Lakers did not take their foot off the gas in the 3rd period, collecting two more goals before the buzzer, ending the game with a dominant 8-0 win over the Knights. Brandon Milberg's 15 save performance would be rewarded with his second shutout of the year.
WHAT'S NEXT
After tonight's win, Oswego Men's Hockey will return to action in tomorrow's Holiday Tournament Championship game at 4:00 PM in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena against the Alvernia University Golden Wolves.
@OswegoAthletics | FB: OswegoAthleticsOfficial | IG: oswegoathletics
