The SUNY Oswego Men’s Ice Hockey team secured a win against the Buffalo State Bengals in their final game of the 2025-2026 regular season on February 21st.
The energy was electric from the second the puck hit the ice to open up the game. The fans in attendance made it known that they were here to cheer. The Lakers offence and defence were strong as the Lakers attacked the net with full force sparing no opportunity for a shot on goal–while goalie Brandon Milberg stood tall between the pipes allowing no goals in. The puck was going back and forth between zones, sharing the love for both teams until Oswego’s Colin Vassallo scored a power play goal assisted by Ryan Burke and Nico Paone with 3:40 left in the first. Buffalo’s Michael Marquez got a penalty after the period ended for roughing to leave the Buffalo State Bengals down a player on the ice to start the second.
Ryan Burke wasted no time and gave the Lakers their second goal of the night assisted by Nico Paone and Colin Vassllo–the same line who scored the first goal of the night. Oswego’s Brent Fudger earned himself a penalty for roughing 2:06 into the second. The penalty kill didn’t seem to faze Milberg in the slightest as he deflected each shot with ease. Adam Grenier scored his third goal of the season and the third goal of the game, allowing Colin Vassallo his second assist of the night. The Lakers enter the third up 3-0.
The third period started off slow until captain Matt McQuade took matters into his own hands with the help of Colin Vassallo and Connor Gatto to give the Lakers their 4th goal of the game. Nearly 2 minutes after his first goal McQuade scored his 11th goal of the season on the power play. Although they were quiet for most of the game, the Bengals finally answered back when Andrew Langlois buried one deep in the net. With 7:14 left in the game Brandon Cohen closes the game out with assists by Jesse Horacek and Colin Vassallo, being his third assist for the night. Brandon Milberg ended his night only allowing 1 of 40 shots past him giving him a .975 save percentage for the night.
The Buffalo State Bengals will return to Oswego on Wednesday February 25th at 7pm to face the Oswego Lakers for the first matchup of the SUNYAC Tournament.


