OSWEGO, N.Y. – The Oswego State men’s hockey team took to home ice for the first time since they beat SUNY Cortland in the SUNYAC semi-final last season. A preseason matchup against the Stevenson Mustangs was an opportunity for both teams to get their legs underneath them before they start regular season play in two weeks time.

The first period saw senior Eric Green get the start in goal for the Lakers. Both sides would get shots off on net, but it would be the Mustangs who struck first in the game. Liam McCanney would send one five hole and into the back of the net for the first goal of the season with just under 11 minutes remaining. The Lakers would quickly answer though. A pass from Quinn Warmuth toward the slot, would be deflected in by Tyler Flack for the Lakers first goal with just over nine to go in the period.

The second period was a goalie battle. The Lakers would switch goalies, junior Richie Parent becoming the Lakers net minder in the second period. Parent made a few excellent saves, and showed off his stick handling abilities as a goalie. Stevenson made their goalie change halfway through the second period. All three goalies that played in the period didn’t allow a goal, and the sides went into the second intermission still tied at one.

In the third period, the Lakers gave their third goalie on the roster, new freshman recruit Cal Schell, his first opportunity wearing the green in gold on the ice. Just as Richie Parent had in the second period, he didn’t allow the Mustangs to get one past him, but the Lakers got themselves the lead. Their second goal came less than three minutes in. Coming off a faceoff, a pass went back to Quinn Warmuth in also the same spot as last time by the blue line. He again threw it into the slot, and the puck would go off the skate of Conor Smart and into the back of the net. Oswego’s final goal would come late in the third. Just as Stevenson was pulling their goalie to have a 6-5 and try and tie the game, the Lakers would have a two-on-one opportunity. New transfer Thomas Rocco would pass the puck behind the lone defender to Tyler Flack who just tapped it into the empty net for the game sealing third and final goal.

The Lakers walked away with a victory 3-1 showing good promise before the challenging season ahead. They will play one final preseason game before the start of regular season play. A matchup with Carelton Place of the CCHL on Saturday October, 22 in the Deborah F. Stanley Ice Arena.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE QUIACHON, WTOP10 PHOTOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT