OSWEGO, N.Y. -- Oswego Women's Hockey returned to the Deb after a month on the road to faceoff SUNY Canton Kangaroos in the first match of this weekend's conference series. Looking to build off their 2-1 win over Plattsburgh, the Lakers were ready to battle for another set of SUNYAC points. An initial faceoff win by Oswego gave them the forward foot throughout the period, but neither team was able to find the back of the net. Determined to find the first tally of the day, the Lakers dominated the majority of the second period, maintaining possession and generating a compilation of quality scoring chances, but none would fall their way. Although Oswego continued to control the puck, an excited Canton squad gained some ground in the final frame, securing the first and only goal of the game on a powerplay. Scrambling to find an equalizer, the Lakers spared no effort in the closing minutes, but it would not be enough. Suffering a tough 1-0 conference loss to SUNY Canton.  

THE BASICS  
Final Score: 
Oswego 0 (10-8-0, 4-3-0 SUNYAC)   

Canton 1 (10-7-1, 2-5-0 SUNYAC) 

Location: Deborah F. Stanley Ice Arena| Oswego, N.Y. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

An opening faceoff win by first year Lauren Riccobelli would put the Lakers on a forward foot to start the contest. A handful of early shots put on net by Oswego would be swatted away by netminder Molly Lenihan, igniting Canton's breakout. Not letting the Kangaroos gain much momentum in the neutral zone, the Lakers continued to churn out offense. In the following minutes, a delayed tripping penalty called against Canton defenseman Jane Pancoe would give Oswego a brief 6-on-5 advantage ahead of their first powerplay. The Lakers retained possession for most of their advantage, but none of their attempts would find the back of the net before the Roos' regained their fifth player. Both teams would trade zone time in the final minutes of the first period, neither managing to add to the scoreline. 

Unsatisfied with their scoreless efforts in the first, the Lakers came out in the second period firing, looking to generate more rebounds around Canton's crease. A quick turn on offense for the Kangaroos would be promptly turned around by the Lakers, returning heavy offensive pressure for a series of minutes. After a composed defensive effort, Tilly Pethrick would be taken down in the corner by forward Lucy Beal who would be sent to box for body checking at 12:56, awarding the Lakers another chance on the powerplay. Despite a second unsuccessful powerplay attempt, Oswego controlled the pace of play heading into the third period.  

With the game still deadlocked 0-0, both teams were determined to open the scoreline, fighting for every puck. While Oswego continued to dominate, it did not take long for an excited Canton squad to gain some ground on the Lakers. After killing another pair of Oswego powerplays the Roos finally gained their first advantage of the game in the middle minutes of the third. A couple of good defensive clears by the Lakers would put a damper on the start of Canton's PP unit, but they would return to Oswego's zone unphased. A heavy shot sent in by a Kangaroo found the stick of Danika Lalonde in front, tipping the puck between the legs of Mia Devivo at the 8:51 mark. Now trailing 1-0, Oswego turned on the jets, outshooting Canton 44-16. Although a few promising attempts by the Lakers, they would come up short in the closing minutes, falling 1-0 to SUNY Canton.  

WHAT'S NEXT  

Oswego Women's Hockey will head to the Roos' House tomorrow Saturday, January 31st to face off against SUNY Canton in the second contest of their two-game series. Puck drop is set for 3:00PM at the Terry Martin Ice Arena. Go Lakers! 

Written by Matilda Pethrick 

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