OSWEGO, N.Y. – Oswego Men's Hockey unofficially opened their 2025-26 season this evening in an exhibition game against the St. John Fisher Cardinals. Despite a few new faces on the roster, the Lakers looked to pick up right where they left off in March. An eager start by both teams would make Oswego work for their first possession, but it did not take long for them to gain momentum and a lead. Totaling 5 goals in the first period. Continuing their scoring reign in the beginning minutes of the 2nd period, the Lakers added 2 more to the tally. Determined to lessen their deficit, the Cardinals came out firing in the early minutes of the final frame, but a final goal scored by sophomore Ryan Burke would seal Oswego's 8-3 win over the St. John Fisher Cardinals.
THE BASICS
Final Score:
Oswego 8 (0-0-0, 0-0-0 SUNYAC)
St. John Fisher 3 (0-0-0, 0-0-0 UCHC)
Location: Deborah F. Stanely Ice Arena | Oswego, N.Y.
HOW IT HAPPENED
An eager start by both teams would make them work for possession in the opening minute. St. John Fisher would earn the first turn on offense and the first power play of the game. A solid penalty kill and breakout would quickly send the Lakers up ice as they returned to full strength. Oswego took a moment to pass it around but did not waste much time before setting up junior defenseman Travis Baker for a one-timer goal just 3:30 into the opening period. While both teams continued to settle into the pace of play, the Lakers would find themselves on a powerplay of their own, after a Cardinal hooking penalty. An unsuccessful advantage would leave Oswego wanting more, netting two back-to-back goals at 11:41 and 13:04 minute-marks. Unphased, St. John Fisher responded promptly notching their first goal of the game three-minutes later at 16:53. A quiet final minutes would be capped off by a 5th goal scored by team captain Matthew McQuade, assisted by Connor Gatto.
Continuing their scoring reign in the early minutes of the second period, the Lakers extended their lead to 7-1. Not letting up, a physical effort by Cardinals would land them in the penalty box for a second time, but another scoreless powerplay for Oswego would leave the score stagnant at 7-1 for a large part of the period. Junior forward Cameron Symons would be charged for cross checking at the 16:42 mark, awarding St. John Fisher with a prime power play opportunity and goal with a little over a minute and half remaining in the period. A final attempt by transfer Tommy Bannister would be blocked by Cardinal defenseman Jonathan Sonedecker, sending the game into the final frame 7-2.
Determined to find their legs in the third period, St. John Fisher came out firing, testing first year Michael Manzi in net early. A handful of nice saves made by Manzi would return possession to his teammates, giving them a forward foot. Two consecutive penalties taken by the Cardinals gave the Lakers an extended advantage, but the 7-2 scoreline would persist, but not for long. As St. John Fisher regained even strength, Kai Tsoar found the top shelf of the net at the 10:49 mark. The latter half of the period would lack luster, but a final goal scored by sophomore Ryan Burke would seal the Lakers 8-3 win over the St. John Fisher Cardinals.
WHAT'S NEXT
Oswego Men's Hockey will return to the Deb next Saturday, October 25th to host the Nazareth University Golden Flyers in their final exhibition game before the official start of their 2024-25 campaign. Puck drop is set for 7:00PM. Go Lakers!
Written by Matilda Pethrick
@OswegoAthletics | FB: OswegoAthleticsOfficial | IG: oswegoathletics
