POTSDAM, N.Y.—No. 7 Oswego State (6-0, 4-0 SUNYAC) edged the SUNY Potsdam men's hockey team (3-4, 1-2) 4-2 on Saturday evening.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Senior forward Connor Gatto (Jacksonville, Fla./Shreveport Mudbugs) gave the Lakers a 1-0 lead just 4:55 into the contest. Senior forward Tommy Bannister (Clayton, N.Y./Mercyhurst University) and sophomore defenseman Nico Paone (Niagara Falls, Ontario/Navan Grads) had the assists.
- Bears junior forward Jakub Hall (Anchorage, Alaska/Richmond Generals) tied the game with assists from senior captain Mason Hoehn (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Richmond Generals) and senior forward Ryan Mahlmeister (Massapequa, N.Y./PAL Junior Islanders).
- With just 51.5 seconds left in the second period, Oswego jumped back in front with a power-play goal. Sophomore forward Colin Vassalo (Buffalo, N.Y./Shreveport Mudbugs) tipped a shot from sophomore forward Ryan Burke (London, Ontario/Shreveport Mudbugs) past Potsdam junior goalie Lenny Perno (Rochester, N.Y./Richmond Generals).
- Just 28 seconds into the third period, sophomore defenseman Josh Simpson (Ajax, Ontario/Bonnyville Pontiacs) made it 3-1 Lakers with assist from Gatto and sophomore defenseman Aidan Cooper (Rothesay, New Brunswick/Carleton Place Canadiens).
- At 5:19 of the third period, senior forward Mathieu Parent (Kapuskasing, Ontario/Renfrew Wolves) took the puck the length of the ice and beat Oswego freshman goalie Michael Manzi (Smyrna Delaware/Anchorage Alaska) to get Potsdam within 3-2. Senior forward Jeremy Quesnel (Alexandria, Ontario/Hawkesbury Hawkes) had the assist.
- At 15:18, Oswego sophomore Shaymus Stevenson (Dryden, Ontario/Smiths Falls Bears) blocked a Potsdam clearing attempt and fed senior forward Matt McQuade (Stittsville, Ontario/Lone Star Brahmas) for a big insurance marker, making it 4-2.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- The Lakers outshot the Bears 59-22.
- Oswego was 1-for-3 on the power play and Potsdam didn't have an opportunity.
- Perno finished with 55 saves.
- Manzi stopped 20 shots for the win.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Bears host SUNY Canton at 11 a.m. on Tuesday for a special "School Day" nonconference contest. The game will be attended by students from Lawrence Avenue Elementary and Norwood-Norfolk Elementary.