OSWEGO, N.Y. -- Oswego Women's Ice Hockey hosted the Buffalo State Bengals in the first matchup of the last weekend of the regular season. Focused on securing home-ice advantage in the playoffs, the Lakers were prepared to handle business from the puck drop. A back-and-forth opening period would prove to be a long-winded battle with both teams finding a single tally in the final minute of the period. This 1-1 stalemate did not last long, with Oswego earning a five-minute powerplay opportunity early in the second frame. Successful on the advantage, the Lakers collected a 3-1 lead as 5-on-5 play resumed. In the remaining minutes, both teams kept their nose on the grindstone, heading into the third period 4-2. Scrambling for a comeback in the third period, the Bengals' intensity would backfire, giving the Lakers not one, not two, but three powerplay opportunities. Despite being unable to produce on the advantage, Oswego would net a fifth and final goal, securing a 5-2 victory over Buffalo State at the final buzzer.
THE BASICS
Final Score:
Oswego 5 (13-9-2, 7-4-2 SUNYAC)
Buffalo State 2 (12-11-1, 4-9-0 SUNYAC)
Location: Deborah F. Stanley Ice Arena| Oswego, N.Y.
HOW IT HAPPENED
An opening faceoff win collected by the Lakers gave them immediate access to Buffalo State's zone, but an effective breakout by the Bengals would shut down any early chances for Oswego. As the beginning minutes began to unfold, both teams gained their legs in neutral ice, but the Lakers found themselves on their heels on defense, struggling to connect against a vigilant Buffalo forecheck. At the 5:21 mark, first year Kayla Doerre was sent to the box for a hooking penalty, awarding the Bengals the first advantage of the game. Unphased, Oswego executed on the penalty kill, nearly netting a short-handed goal but would be rejected by the left pipe. While play returned to regular 5-on-5, the Lakers maintained their offensive pressure, testing opposing netminder Alexa Todd with a compilation of shots. In the final minutes of the first period, the Lakers finally earned a power play opportunity but once again struggled to connect on their passes. Despite this, Alex O'Brien found a way to net her first career goal just seconds after the Bengals regained even strength. Unfortunately, Oswego's 1-0 lead would be fleeting, with Buffalo State leveling the score just 0:20 seconds before the initial buzzer.
Unsatisfied with their lackluster performance in the first period, the Lakers wasted no time, promptly placing a handful of shots on Todd. Only 2:02 into play, Mikala Gould was charged with a five-minute high-sticking penalty, giving Oswego a major advantage, on which they would strike not once but twice. Now up 3-1, the Lakers continued to churn out offense, adding a fourth tally to the count at the 5:01 mark, scored by first year Georgia Cunliffe. As the middle minutes got underway, the Bengals responded with a powerplay goal of their own at 12:30, but they would fall back on defense as Oswego began to surge offense on the following play. Although both teams traded chances as the clock ticked down, neither managed to add to the 4-2 scoreline heading into the final frame.
As the third period unfolded, the Lakers returned to even strength and kept their foot on the gas offensively, regaining a 3-goal cushion off a final goal collected by junior Jenna Majewski at 6:27. Scrambling for a comeback, Buffalo State wrestled every puck and shot on net, but their intensity would eventually backfire, granting Oswego 3 powerplay opportunities throughout the period. Luckily for the Bengals, the Lakers were unable to produce, but held steady at both ends of the ice, securing a 5-2 victory as the clock ticked down.
WHAT'S NEXT
Oswego Women's Hockey will return to home ice tomorrow, February 21st for their final regular season game against the William Smith College Herons. The battle for home advantage in the first round of playoffs will commence at 3:00PM in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena. Go Lakers!
Written by Matilda Pethrick
@OswegoAthletics | FB: OswegoAthleticsOfficial | IG: oswegoathletics
