Oswego, NY - The Oswego State Men's Hockey team took second in the SUNYAC preseason poll of their upcoming season, and twelfth nationally, according to the latest DIII Hockey News, and USCHO polls.
The Lakers are ranked 2nd, only behind the defending national champions, Hobart.
Oswego grabbed the top seed in last season's SUNYAC tournament thanks to a 9-4-1 in conference record, and defeated Plattsburgh at home in the SUNYAC Championship game 5-2, taking home the SUNYAC crown for the first time since 2014.
The Lakers then fell to then #7 Trine University (currently ranked #7/8) on the road 4-1. Oswego ended their impressive season with a record of 16-9-3.
Three out of the top four scorers will continue leading the lines on the shores of Lake Ontario, as Sophomore Brandon Cohen (Toronto, ON/St. Michael's Buzzers; 19 G - 15 A - 34 P) looks to build off of his impressive freshman campaign. A pair of 20 assist forwards also return for the Lakers, as Sophomore Ryan Burke (London, ON/Shreveport Mudbugs; 11 G - 28 A - 39 P), and Sophomore Colin Vassalo (Buffalo, NY/Shreveport Mudbugs; 5 G - 20 A - 25 P) both reached that mark last season.
Finally, between the pipes returns the Senior Brandon Milberg (Thornhill, Ont./Sacred Heart (NCAA); 15-7-2, 2.25 GAA, .905 SV%), as he looks to move up the ranks in some of the best net-minders in Oswego State history. Milberg is tied for 9th all time in save percentage (.908), 8th in career shutouts (4), and 6th in goals against average (2.25).
Following an exhibition game against new program St. John Fisher, the Lakers open their regular season on home ice with Teal Night on October 25th at 7:00 pm against Nazareth. Oswego opens SUNYAC play at home on November 14th against Plattsburgh, which starts at 7:00pm.
Written by: Tyler Ferragamo
@OswegoAthletics | FB: OswegoAthleticsOfficial | IG: oswegoathletics
