POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam men's hockey team (5-14-1, 4-7-1 SUNYAC) wrapped up their weekend play on Saturday night as they hosted Oswego State (10-8, 7-2 SUNYAC) for a SUNYAC matchup. With both teams battling for playoff positions the game featured a fast pace and a highly competitive atmosphere. Three second period goals helped the Lakers down the Bears by a final score of 5-1. Sophomore forward Mike McArthur (St. Thomas, Ontario/Oswego St.) scored for the Bears.
 
The first period showcased back-and-forth neutral zone play, with both teams only recording nine shots on goal. Despite the low shot totals, the Lakers and the Bears were both able to make their way onto the scoreboard. The Lakers would strike first, as Max Novik was able to beat Bears sophomore goalie Michael Paglucca (North Reading, Mass./New Hampshire Avalanche) with a point shot along the ice through heavy traffic at 13:35. The goal was assisted by Anthony Passero and Tanner Spink. With 5:58 remaining in the period, Oswego took a costly penalty and the Bears would use the man advantage to even the score. Junior defenseman Joseph Richardson (Palm Beach, Fla./PAL Islanders) fired a shot on net that was kicked away into the corner by Lakers netminder Steven Kozikoski and retrieved by junior forward Brett Horn (Cary, N.C./Humboldt Broncos). Horn fed the puck to McArthur who beat Kozikoski to tie the game at one. The score would remain unchanged at the break.
 
Oswego turned up the pressure in the second period, scoring three goals in the middle stanza to take a commanding 4-1 lead. Following a Bears penalty for high sticking, the Lakers scored their second goal of the evening on a power play goal by Alex DiCarlo just 3:35 into the period. Michael Gillespi fed the puck across the slot for the back door one-timer by DiCarlo. Novick recorded the second assist on the play. Oswego tacked on their third goal on an outstanding individual effort by DiCarlo just six minutes later. DiCarlo forced a Bears turnover in the Lakers defensive zone, rushed the puck down the right wing and cut to the net, making a move around Paglucca to bury his second of the night. The final Oswego goal of the period would come just over a minute later, when Novick netted his second of the game on a shot following an Oswego faceoff win. Potsdam would call a timeout after the fourth Oswego goal, regaining their composure for the remainder of the period. The Bears would put the pressure on in the second half of the period, controlling much of the possession, but were unable to inch closer before the second intermission.
 
Looking to climb back into the game, Potsdam came out of the gate on the attack in the third period, firing 15 shots on net in the final twenty minutes. The Lakers locked down the defensive zone however, keeping the Bears off the score sheet. It appeared as though the Bears had notched their second goal of the night on the power play, but the goal was waved off due to a Potsdam player in the crease. After the disallowed goal, the Bears were unable to muster a comeback. Oswego was able to score their fifth goal of the game as Gillespie buried a rebound after Paglucca made an incredible save on Spink. Passero also assisted on the final goal.
 
The Bears finished 1-4 on the power play, the Lakers finished 1-3. Paglucca stopped 34 shots in net for the Bears, while Kozikoski stopped 30 shots at the other end.
 
The Bears head to Buffalo State on Friday and Fredonia on Saturday for what will could be the most important games of their season. Both games are at 7 pm.