Oswego, NY - Nazareth came to the Deb to take on the Lakers in a mid-week clash. After Oswego fell behind 4-1 in the second period, they found offense and would come back to ultimately end this game tied.
 
BASICS 
Oswego 4 (13-2-2, 10-1 SUNYAC)
Nazareth 4 (9-6-2, 3-5 UCHC)
Deborah F. Stanley Ice Arena | Oswego, NY
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
Nazareth jumped on the Lakers quickly. They scored in the first two minutes, and the Oswego crowd was shocked. Oswego, down one and looking to get back in the game quickly, had an early chance and were close to finding the back of the net. Ultimately, the refs declared it no goal and the game went on. Seconds later, the Lakers had a breakaway chance, and they took advantage of the slow transition defense by the Golden Flyers and tied this game up. Niklas Miller was the goal scorer, and the assist went to the SUNYAC player of the week, Matt McQuade. It was McQuade's 18th point of the season and Niklas Miller's third goal of the season. The game went dry as both teams couldn't really generate any offense. Oswego did have a late power play, but Lincoln Crosby for Nazareth stood tall in net to kill it off. Just as Nazareth killed an Oswego power play, the Lakers tried to do the same thing. In the 17th minute, Nazareth found an open skater on the right side of the net and was able to score. Kai Shen on the goal and the Golden Flyers found themselves up 2-1.
 
Nazareth came out the same way they did in the first. High intensity, high energy and they used that to find a quick breakaway and a quick score. It was in the third minute for Kai Shen's second goal of the game. Minutes later, Nazareth found yet another goal. Owen Heidelberg found the back of the net for the Golden Flyers and Nazareth was in complete control of this one. Although the three-goal deficit, Oswego wasn't done yet and showed life just seconds later. Brandon Cohen found a hole in the defense and was able to cut the lead to just two for Nazareth. Brandon Millberg came into the game as goalie after the fourth goal for Nazareth and really started making a difference for this Laker team. He came up with big saves throughout the second period. The game slowed down but right as the period was about the end, Oswego made it interesting. After being down 4-1, the Lakers worked some magic to make this game a nail biter. Colin Vassallo got the feed from Travis Baker and Vassallo put it in. The Lakers showed some serious fight as they went to the locker room only down one goal. 
 
In the third, Oswego had an early chance with a power play in the fourth minute. It was quickly equalized as Oswego got into some trouble themselves. Just as both power plays ended, the Lakers picked up another penalty and Nazareth had a chance to extend their lead. Millberg picked up some big saves and Oswego was able to fend off the power play to stay in the game. Oswego was in complete control of the puck down the stretch firing a multitude of shots, but none went through. It felt like one had to go through and after the Lakers pulled their goalie, one finally went through. Ryan Burke tied this game up at 4 with just a minute remaining. Oswego finished it off with good defense and after Nazareth held a 4-1 lead, Oswego battled back to send this game to overtime. 
 
Both teams had chances in Overtime but this match-up ended in a tie, 4-4. 
 
Shoot Out Results
1. Oswego #7 (off target)
2. Nazareth #21 (saved)
3. Oswego #8 (off target)
4. Nazareth #15 (GOAL)
5. Oswego #28 (GOAL)
6. Nazareth #10 (saved)
7. Oswego #18 (saved)
8. Nazareth #5 (GOAL)
 
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Oswego returns to action this Friday as they welcome in the Potsdam Bears. Puck drop will commence at 7:00pm. 
 
Written by: Luke Belanger