Wednesday, March 21, 2012

New York Jets Aquire Tim Tebow!














The news has just come down, the New York Jets have picked up QB Tim Tebow from Denver in exchange for a 4th Round Pick. Here is the story from ESPN.com:

Unusually quiet in recent weeks, the New York Jets shattered the calm Wednesday by completing a trade for polarizing quarterback Tim Tebow, the team confirmed.

The Jets will send a fourth-round pick to the Denver Broncos, a source said.

Tebow, a former first-round pick, went on the trading block Monday when the Broncos secured free agent Peyton Manning, who signed a five-year, $96 million contract.

Several teams expressed interest, including Tebow's hometown Jacksonville Jaguars, but the Jets -- perceived as a sleeper at the outset -- pulled off the splashiest trade of the offseason.

Tebow -- he has three years remaining on his contract, with a base salary in 2012 of $1.1 million -- will join a cast of backups behind incumbent Mark Sanchez, but his presence could ignite a quarterback controversy. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie tweeted before the trade that "we don't need Tebow," expressing his confidence in Sanchez and the current roster.

The timing of the trade is curious.

Two weeks ago, the Jets gave Sanchez a three-year, $40.5 million contract extension, professing their faith in him even though he regressed in certain areas last season. They signed former Detroit Lion backup Drew Stanton last week to be their No. 2 quarterback, handing him a $500,000 signing bonus. They also have former Alabama star Greg McElroy.

The Jets see Tebow as a change-of-pace player with the ability to run the wildcat offense. They've used the wildcat in recent years, but cut back last season with the departure of Brad Smith. The new offensive coordinator is Tony Sparano, who introduced the wildcat to the NFL as coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Coach Rex Ryan also wants the Jets to get back to being a power-running team, but they have only one proven back, Shonn Greene. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound Tebow rushed for 660 yards last season, including a 20-yard touchdown in the final minute to beat the Jets, 17-14, in a November game at Denver.

A few weeks earlier, Tebow beat Sparano and the Dolphins with one of his trademark comebacks, overcoming a 15-0 deficit to win in overtime, 18-15.

There's also some thought that Tebow and his clean-cut image could help polish the negative perception of the locker room, torn by discord last season. But others close to the team said that was no factor whatsoever in the decision.

But there could be potential backlash for the Jets. Tebow's enormous popularity could turn into a distraction, especially for Sanchez. If Sanchez struggles, the fan base ostensibly could turn on him and start clamoring for Tebow.

This also will be an adjustment for Tebow as he returns to a backup role. He became one of the most popular athletes in the nation last season, replacing Kyle Orton and leading the Broncos -- seemingly dead after a 1-4 start -- to an 8-8 record and the AFC West title. He did it with a run of miraculous finishes, one more improbable than the next.

Tebow won his first playoff game, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers with an 80-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime. The following week, Tebow crashed hard in a 45-10 loss to the New England Patriots.

Broncos executive John Elway anointed Tebow as the starting quarterback going into training camp, but that didn't prevent him from entering the Manning sweepstakes.

Clearly, the Broncos were troubled by his flawed mechanics as a passer. Tebow completed only 46.5 percent of his throws last season.

It should be interesting to see how Tebow is welcomed in the locker room. During the run-up to last November's game, the Jets' defensive players weren't complimentary when discussing his passing skills. Cornerback Darelle Revis said Tebow's unorthodox style as an option quarterback couldn't sustain long-term success in the NFL.

As it turned out, Tebow made the playoffs and Sanchez didn't. Sanchez struggled down the stretch, fueling speculation about his future. Publicly, team officials backed him, but also promised the quarterback depth chart would have a different look in 2012.

They weren't kidding.


Yes the Jets weren't kidding about shaking things up but as far as I'm concerend, they shook things up in a bad way. Yes I understand wanting to run the wildcat offense mroe often and Tebow is the right guy to run it. There are more holes in the Jets then just that.

There are a few things with this I need answered. Why would the Jets really go out and pick him up after just signing Mark Sanchez for 3 years and $40.5 Million? Everybody knew what kinda struggles Sanchez had at the end of last season. This deal is going to either bring up Sanchez game or totally destroy it. Now there is absoutly no way possible that Tebow is the answer for the Jets.

What is bugging me about all this is that the Jets really haven't done much to answer their biggest problems. The run defense, and defense as a whole last season wasn't as good as it has been in the past and it showed bigtime down the stretch. For the Jets to do ANYTHING in the AFC they need to get that figured out. Granted the injury bug had hit the team on defense, they still need to get the ship righted by the time the season kicks off in september.

The other big holse the Jets need to figure out is the running game and recievers. They need to make sure that Shonn Greene can carry the load of the running game and if he is the right guy to be having there. Also the team nneds to check on what to do with LaDainian Tomlinson. I know he isnt on the Jets roster at the moment but the team might want to consider getting him back as he still may have something left in the tank. If not then damn sure get something as a safty net for Greene as a backup insurance policy.

Finally the wide recievers need improvement for the jets to have any success. I don't care if you're Tim Tebow, Mark Sanchez, John Elway or Joe Montana, if you don't have decent wied outs to throw to then you are gonna have problems. Santonio Holmes is the only big time reciever on the Jets and most football fans know the problems he had with the team and Sanchez at the end of last season. Plus its kinda sad when your leading reciever is a tight end in Dustin Keller. No disrespect to Keller by any means but you can't win in the NFL with a tight end as the leading pass catcher on the team.

So in summary, yes it might have been nice getting Tim Tebow but if the Jets are gonna go back to being a force in the AFC they need to fix more holes in the team to have any chance.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Cinderalla Season Comes to an End as St Norbert Defeats Oswego State for the National Title!















With visions of the 2007 season dancing in the heads of most Oswego State fans, the stage was set as the Lakers took on the Green Knights of St. Norbert college with teh NCAA Division III National Championship on the line. After Paul Rodrigues heroics the night before still fresh on everybody's minds, fans were hoping for something of a repeat performance, however it was not to be as the Green Knights took down the Lakers 4-1 and skated away with their 2nd straight national championship. The recap of the action from saturday is provided by the Oswego State Athletic Department.

The third-ranked Oswego State men's ice hockey team (24-4-2) fell short of capturing its second NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey Championship when it fell to defending national champion and fifth-ranked St. Norbert (21-5-5) by the score of 4-1 on Saturday night at Herb Brooks Arena. The Lakers earned the program's third NCAA runner-up trophy after finishing second in 1987 and 2003. It marked the third national title in five seasons for the St. Norbert Green Knights.

In stark contrast to Friday's game, the scoring started seventeen seconds into the first period when St. Norbert's Cody Keefer wristed a shot from the high slot past Andrew Hare stick side after he took the puck away from an Oswego State defender just inside the blue line.

The Green Knights remained on the offensive early in the game when they went on the power play following a boarding penalty at 1:55, but the Lakers did not allow any good looks at the net. The effort seemed to help Oswego State settle into the game as it went on its first power play at 4:29, but came up empty.

Ian Boots nearly tied the game at 7:33 when Chris Muise hit him with a cross-ice pass, as Boots got behind the defense. However, St. Norbert goalie David Jacobson got behind the shot to preserve the one-goal advantage.

It became a tie game at 10:47 when Chris Brown intercepted a Green Knight clearing attempt at the left face-off circle. Brown found David Titanic sitting open in the slot before rifling a wrist shot into the top right corner over Jacobson's glove.

Keefer nearly tacked on his second goal of the game at 13:51 when he was on the doorstep alone, but Hare flashed some fancy leather for the save. Minutes later though, St. Norbert regained the lead at 17:29 when Reid Campbell found Brandon Hoogenboom sitting at the back door for the open-net goal with a second assist going to Mason Baptista as the Lakers struggled to clear the defensive zone.

Oswego State ended the period with an extra attacker when the Green Knights were called for hitting after the whistle at 18:05. The Lakers had a few quality looks at the net, but shots from the point went wide of the net.

Oswego State started the second period with a renewed energy controlling puck possession in the early going until the Lakers were called for interference at 6:21, which the penalty-kill unit killed off. Midway through the frame, Oswego State came up short on its third power play after a boarding penalty. However, seconds after St. Norbert returned to full strength it was assessed an interference penalty only for the Lakers to come up empty again.

Andrew Mather had a breakaway opportunity at 14:18 using his speed up the near side, but he was unable to get the shot above Jacobson, who went to the ice to try to make the save.

The Green Knights went on their fourth power play at 16:42 after a Laker interference penalty in the defensive zone, and St. Norbert made them pay. Kyle Stroh passed the puck from behind the net to Keefer for the one-timer past Hare to make it a 3-1 game with 1:37 left in the second. Johan Ryd was also credited with an assist.

By the end of the second, Oswego State trailed 3-1, despite out-shooting its opponent, 14-5, in the frame.

At 7:15 in the third, the Lakers were given their fifth power-play chance of the game after a St. Norbert hooking penalty. Jon Whitelaw one-timed a blast from the center of the blue line 45 seconds into the extra attacker, but it was Jacobson's turn to flash the leather.

The Green Knights took another penalty at the 8:30 mark with Oswego State getting a few shots on goal without any finding the back of the net.

Keefer completed the hat trick at 17:07 when he beat a Laker defenseman in a foot race for the puck from the Oswego State offensive zone. Keefer then found the back of the net by going five-hole on Hare to seal the win.

The Laker power-play unit struggled all evening, as it finished the game 0-for-6. St. Norbert ended 1-for-5 with the extra attacker. Hare ended the contest with 21 saves, while Jacobson posted 29 stops.

Despite the four goals allowed, Oswego State finished the season with a program-low 54 goals allowed bettering the previous record of 56 goals allowed by the 2006-07 squad. Hare also set a single-season record with a 1.75 goals against average, which bested Ryan Scott's record of 1.99 in the 2006-07 season as well.

Members of the 2012 NCAA All-Tournament Team included Oswego State's Ian Boots, St. Norbert's Johan Ryd, Cody Keefer, Zach MacDonald, and Amherst's Mike Baran. The Most Outstanding Player was St. Norbert goaltender David Jacobson.

Here are the video highlights of the game thanks to WNYO and Mike Keeley:


This is now the 2nd time in his career that Cody keefer has caused heartbreak for Oswego State hockey fans. If you remember it was Keefer who scored the goal with 239 seconds left against Oswego in the 2010 Semifianl game between these two teams that sent St Norbert to play Norwich for the national title that year.

On a serious note I would like to take the time to say something about the seniors on this season team. Ian Boots, Paul Beckwith, Hank Van Boxmeer, Jared Anderson, and Andrew Mather, guys it has been a real pleasure watching you play hockey over the last four years. You're leaving this school with some great memories and great moments that will live on foever on the shores of lake onterio. I can probably speak for most peeople who have watched you play hockey, wheather it be here at Oswego or at any point during you're careers when i say this: THANK YOU THANK THANK YOU!

Paul Rodrigues OT Hero Aagain as Oswego beats Amherst 2-1!!














For the 3rd time in the last two seasons, Paul Rodrigues has proven to be a hero in overtime for the Oswego State Lakers. He was able to net two winners in overtime last season, January 22nd against Fredonia and February 4th against Cortland. Those goals turned out to be big, but they both pale in comparison to the one he scored against the Amherst Lord Jeffs in the final four last friday night. The following game recap is provided by the Oswego State Sports Information Department.

Paul Rodrigues scored 7:20 into overtime to move the third-ranked Oswego State men's ice hockey team (24-3-2) into the championship game with a 2-1 win over second-ranked Amherst College (24-4-1) on Friday night at Herb Brooks Arena. Oswego State will face St. Norbert, the defending national champions, (20-5-5) in the national championship game Saturday at 7 p.m. after the Green Knights disposed of Norwich, 4-1, in the other semifinal contest.

David Titanic had a one-on-one chance against the Lord Jeffs in the sixth minute of the first period after a quick pass from Hank Van Boxmeer, but the defenseman closed quickly not allowing Titanic to put much behind the shot.

In the latter portion of the first, Chris Brown and Andrew Mather had a 2-on-1 breakaway on a Lord Jeff line change. Brown slid the puck from the near side of the rink to Mather, who lifted a shot on Amherst goalie Jonathan LaRose. However, La Rose was there for the save.

The Lord Jeffs had a scoring chance of their own inside the last two minutes during a 3-on-2 rush. Laker goalie Andrew Hare (Jr., Burlington, Ont.) made the initial save, but lost track of the rebound as he fell on his back with the puck loose in front the net. However, Oswego State cleared the puck before Amherst could take another shot, as the period ended with the score tied at 0-0.

The Lord Jeffs applied sustained offensive pressure early in the second period, including Mike Baran's blast from the point that clanged off the pipe. Amherst went on the first power play of the game at 9:24 in the second period when Oswego State was whistled for tripping.

The Laker penalty-kill unit came up strong, as Hare made three saves. Oswego State created an odd-skater rush when the penalized Laker came out of the box, but LaRose made the stop. The play gave the Lakers a renewed energy as they went on their first power play at 13:14 following a holding call due to the forechecking efforts of Matt Singleton, but were unable to get on the board.

At 15:39 in the second, Hare made a sprawling pad on a backhand by Nick Brunnette at the near post to keep the contest tied going into the final 20 minutes.

Oswego State gained an extra attacker when Amherst was called for cross checking at 8:06 after Chris Ayotte was taken down along the boards. Zack Josepher's shot from the center of the blue line was deflected inches wide of the far post.

Ian Boots, a 2011 Second Team All-American, finally put the Lakers on the board at 10:26 after Tyler Leimbrock checked a Lord Jeff defender off the puck at neutral ice near the Amherst blue line. Boots corralled the loose puck, skated in towards the faceoff circle, and took a wrister that beat La Rose glove side low by the near post.

The goal energized the entire rink, including the Lord Jeff offense, which began to pepper Hare with shots. Amherst called timeout with 37.8 seconds to play leading to a faceoff in the neutral zone. The Lord Jeffs won the draw before Eddie Effinger tied the game after a mad scramble in front of the goal with 22.1 seconds to play. Aaron Deutsch and Mark Colp were credited with assists on the play that sent the game into overtime.

Amherst came out quickly in the extra frame, but Hare registered three saves to keep the game going. Luke Moodie carried the puck into the offensive zone drawing two defenders, leaving Rodrigues, who was trailing the play, open. Moodie hit Rodrigues with the pass to skate in on LaRose. Rodrigues held the puck long enough to force LaRose to commit before eventually sliding the puck under the goalie for his 14th goal of the season.

Hare finished the game with 43 saves to move to 21-3-2 on the season, while LaRose, who was named the national player of the year Thursday night, posted 25 saves with an overall record of 19-2-1.

Here are the video highlights from the victory courtesy of Mike Keeley and WNYO:


So paul rodrigues was the hero again on firday night. That heroics was shades of what Ryan Woodward did for Oswego during the 2007 playoff run, when Woodward scored the OT winner against St Norbert College to put the Lakers into the national title game that year.

Woudl the storybook run continues the next night? We shall see......

Monday, March 12, 2012

Oswego Advances to 3rd Straight Final Four with 5-0 Win Over Elmira













For the 3rd straight year, the Oswego State Lakers Men's Hockey team will be playing in the final four. This time it comes courtesy of the Elmira Soaring Eagles and a 5-0 victory. The following game recap provided by the Oswego State Athletics Department.

The third-ranked Oswego State men's ice hockey team (23-3-2) punched its third straight ticket to the NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey Championships behind the strength of four third-period goals in a 5-0 quarterfinal win over 11th-ranked Elmira (15-9-3) Saturday at the Campus Center Arena. The victory marks the first time in program history that the Lakers have reached the Frozen Four in three consecutive seasons.

The Lakers held a tenuous one-goal lead heading into the final stanza before tallying four goals in a ten-minute span. Oswego State also received a solid effort from junior goaltender Andrew Hare, who posted his fourth shutout of the season after stopping 23 shots, to register the 33rd shutout in Division III Men's Ice Hockey Tournament history.

Both squads played a tight defensive game in the first period. It was not until 11:31 in the frame, though, when Ian Boots put the Lakers on the board. He got the puck behind the net and tried a wraparound near the far post, but was stopped by Soaring Eagle goalie Darren McDonald. However, McDonald was unable to contain the rebound, as Boots took several stabs at puck while on his knees before it crossed the goal line. Tyler Leimbrock and Chris Muise got assists on the goal, as Oswego State took a 1-0 lead into intermission.

The Lakers came out with increased intensity in the second period, but were unable to get shots through the Elmira defense. Play evened out as the stanza wore on before the Soaring Eagles were called for a slashing penalty in the waning moments. Oswego State did not get any quality looks at the net before the horn sounded, as it still owned a one-goal advantage heading into the final 20 minutes.

Just over three minutes into the third, Matt Singleton capitalized on an Elmira turnover at its blue line during a long Soaring Eagle shift. Singleton picked up the loose puck as a defender lost his footing, allowing Singleton to skate in unabated to the goalie. He ripped a shot that went just under the crossbar over McDonald's left shoulder for his fifth goal of the season, giving the Lakers a 2-0 lead.

Less than a minute after the goal, Oswego State was whistled for back-to-back penalties resulting in a 5-on-3 advantage for the visitors for 21 seconds. The Lakers effectively killed off the first infraction before Taylor Farris blocked an Elmira shot near the right point less than 20 seconds later. Farris tapped the puck up to Boots, who was open on the far side for a breakaway opportunity on McDonald. Boots got his shot past the Elmira netminder's glove side for his 12th marker of the season and the team's sixth shorthanded goal of the year at 6:19.

Oswego State made it a 4-0 game at 11:53, while on a 4-on-3 power play courtesy of Zack Josepher. Josepher laced a shot from the slot into the back of the net after a series of passes from Jon Whitelaw and Luke Moodie closed in on the Elmira penalty-kill unit.

The Lakers' final goal came when Kyle Badham hit Singleton with a cross-ice pass that created a rare odd-man rush for Singleton and Chris Ayotte. Singleton slid a pass under a Soaring Eagle defenseman to Ayotte, who made no mistake on the quick shot, for his eighth goal of the season at 13:55.

In a contest with few penalties, Oswego State capitalized on the chances it was given, as it went 1-for-2 on the power play and scored a shorthanded goal. Elmira finished 0-for-3 with the extra skater.

Hare improved to 20-3-2 with the decision, while Darren McDonald finished with 17 saves in the losing effort.

Oswego State will face second-ranked Amherst (24-3-1) on Friday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Lake Placid, N.Y. The Lord Jeffs defeated Plattsburgh, 3-1, to advance to the semifinal round. Tickets can be purchased at ncaa.com/tickets or by calling the Olympic Center Box Office at 518-523-3330 from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Here now are the video highlights from the victory:


This time Oswego got to the Final Four thanks to Elmira. In the past two seasons it had been Bowdin who had been the first round opponent for Oswego in the NCAA Tournment. Each year in the quarter-finals there comes a player who knows how to score two goals from almost out of nowhere. There was a two goal performance tonight but it wasn't out of nowhere it was Ian Boots. Van Boxmeer did it two years ago and David Titanic did it last year. So it goes to show you can find a hero almost out of anywhere.

This is the third time Oswego has gone to three straight NCAA Tournment, the last time it was done was 1987-1989. So now the final four is set as it is St. Norbert and Norwich at 4PM and Amherst against Oswego at 7PM!

(video provided by Mike Keeley and photo provided the Oswego State Athletic Department)

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

2011-2012 Oswego State Women's Hockey Season Recap















So the 2011-2012 season has come to a close for the Oswego State Women's Hockey team, and a very successful season it was. coming off last season's success, head coach Diane Dillon was looking for a repeat performance from her club, and she got it, but it didn't start off that great. The opening weekend saw the Adrain Bulldogs come to town and skate away with two victories 3-0 and 5-3. Despite getting shut out in the first game the team showed more heart in game two. Mackenzie Lee scored the first goal of the season, and Carly Henderson and Kelly Collins also chipped in with goals but it wasn't enough to earn a victory. In the 2 games in October the Lakers went winless.

November started off on a much better note against the Cortland Red Dragons at home with a 1-1 tie and a 2-1 win for oswego. Lauren Gilpin got the lone gaol in the tie in game one and Cathrine Cote played great between the pipes. Game Two saw the first career victory for freshman Bridget Smith, as Mackenzie Lee and Melissa Seamont provided the scoring. Seamont had a goal and assist in this one, earning the firtst multi-point game of the season. Smith made 16 saves in the victory. Next up was an exciting home and home weekend set with Utica. The first game was in Utica and required an extra period to decide this one. Seamont got the scoring started for Oswego but they needed a last second goal from Kelly Collins to force overtime. Then halfway through overtime Carly Henderson became the hero winning the game for the lakers, their first win in overtime since Kelly Collins beat Utica at the Campus Center on Febryary 7th 2011. So after the heroics in Utica the two teams met at the Campus Center the next night, and the Pioneers took the game 3-1, with Jillian Bergeron scoring the lone Oswego goal.

Next up for the Lakers was a north country trip for a weekend series with Potsdam, in a high scoring series. The first game ended in a 5-5 tie, with goals coming from Megan Howe, Kelly Collins, Jocelyn St Clair, Emma Smetaniuk, and Kathryn Sbrocchi. Two Lakers had multi point games in this one as Leslie Jarvis and Melissa Seamont both had 2 assist games. The next night the Bears took over and walked away with the 3-2 win. Oswego got goals from Carly Marchment and Kathryn Sbrocchi. So through the first two months of the season Oswego had a 2-3-2 record and 2-1-2 in ECAC West Play.

The Lakers came back from thanksgiving break with guns blazing against the Neumann Knights at home, a weekend series which lead to two victories. Oswego took the first game 4-1 thanks to two gaols from Mackenzie Lee, along with goals from Megan Howe anad Olivia Boersen. melissa Saemont had another 2 assist game her 3rd of the season. The enxt night was another Laker victory this time 3-1 thanks to goals from Mackenzie Lee, Jocelyn St Clair and Carly Marchment. Oswego was on a bit of a roll heading into a tuesday night game at Hamilton college which also required extra time. Chelsey Draker had the opening goal and Megan Howe tied the game late in the 3rd. Once the overtime started it took 43 seconds for Carly Henderson to pot her 2nd OT winner on the season and Oswego walked away with the 3-2 win. The last game of the 1st half of the season was a tough one for Osweog a 6-0 loss at Amherst. So the Lakers ended the first half of the year at 5-5-2 overall and 5-2-2 in ECAC West play.

When things kicked off again on January 13th and 14th against Chatham, it was a big coming out party for the lakers offense. Oswego won both game by a combined score of 19-3, and it staerted with a 10-0 shutout of the teh Cougars. Cathrine Cote got the shutout in game one and Oswego got scoring from Mady Paul, Kelly Collins, Megan Howe (2 Goals 2 assissts), Emma Smetaniuk (2 Goals 1 Assist), Carly Henderson (2 Goals), and Mackenzie Lee (2 Goals). Chelsa Hunt, Melissa Seamont, Brea Reith and Olivia Boerson were the only Laker skaters who DIDN'T get a point in this game. The next night wa a 9-3 Lakers victory, with goals coming from Lauren Gilpin, Megan Howe (1 Goal 1 Assist) Jocelyn St. Clair (Goal Assist) Chelsey Draker (2 Goals), Jillian Bergeron (Goal 2 assists), Mackenzie Lee, and Kelly Collins (2 Goals assist).

Oswego would struggle over the next three games losing all three, first a 3-2 loss to Hamilton and then two shutout losses to Plattsburgh 5-0 and 6-0. All three losses coming at home. Oswego would bounce back and end January on a high with two victories at Buffalo State, 7-0 and 3-1. In the 7-0 win, Bridget Smith would get the shutout and the offense was provided by Mackenzie Lee (2 goals) Lauren Gilpin (2 Goals) Chelsea Hunt, Kathryn Sbrocchi and Megan Howe. In the 3-1 win Oswego got scoring from Chelsey Draker, Kelly Collins and Carly Henderson. Oswego would slip up and drop both games to the RIT Tigers on Senior Weekend, by scores of 4-0 and 2-1. Thena gainst Sacred Heart they stumblede again with a 3-2 loss but bounced back in the 2nd game with a 2-0 win. In th8at victory, Bridget Smith got the shutout and Melissa Seamont and Olivia Boersen. The regular season ended for Oswego with back to back 4-3 losses to the Elmira Soaring Eagles. The Lakers ended the regular season with a record of 10-13-2 overall and 8-8-2 in ECAC West, but that was good enough to get the girls a home playoff game in the ECAC West tournment.

The game was at home against Neumann and a 3-0 victory for Oswego. Both the game itself and the win were first in the history of the program. Bridget Smith got the shutout and the scoring was provided by Kelly Collins Melissa Seamont and Megan Howe. But the offense was unable to carry over into the next round as the Lakers season came to an end with a 1-0 loss to Plattsburgh in the semifinal of the tournment. Oswego ended this season with a 11-13-2 record.

There were a lot of positives to take out of this season. Oswego hosted a playoff game for the first time ever and won a playoff agme for the first time ever. Mackenzie Lee lead the team in scoring with 18 points. Lee and Kelly Collins tied for the team lead in gaols with 10, while Jillian Bergeron lead the team in assists with 11. Bridget Smith's 3 shutouts ties Emi Williams for the single season records for shutouts, which Williams did in 2 seperate seasons during her career. Carly Henderson's 2 Overtime victories proved how much of a clutch gaol scorer she can be. Melissa Seamont and Carly Henderson both doubled their offensive numbers from a year ago.

As for the seniors Kelly Collins leavs Oswego State with two program records safe in her back pocket: Career Goals with 36 and Career Points with 50. The previous records had been 28 goals and 47 points both held by Jenna Kirkwood. Jillian Bergeron also passed Kirkwood for most points in Program History withi 49.

Now for the senior class as a whole. The graduating seniors this year are; Megan Amlinger, Kathryn Sbrocchi, Kelly Collins, Mackenzie Lee, Leah McNaughten, Jillian Bergeron, and Lauren Gilpin. Ladies I can probabily speak for most when I say THANK YOU TAHNK YOU THANK YOU! It has truly been an honor and pleasure to watch yo play hockey over the past 4 seasons. You ladies have left a mark on everybody who has gotten the chance to watch you play and gotten to know you as people. It has been a true joy! Thanks for the memories!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Oswego State Women Season Ends in 1-0 Loss to Plattsburgh















After a long and grueling season and a valiant effort against the Plattsburgh State Cardnials, the Oswego State Women's Hockey season has come to an end. The Cardnials defeated the Lakers 1-0 in the semifinal game of the ECAE West Tourniment at Ritter Arena in Rochester. The game recap is provided by Oswego State Athletics.

Freshman goaltender Bridget Smith (Hamburg, N.Y.) posted 33 saves to keep the fourth-seeded Oswego State women's ice hockey team (11-14-2) within striking distance of second-seeded Plattsburgh (18-5-3), but the Lakers were unable to break through in a 1-0 ECAC West Semifinal loss on Saturday.

The Cardinals' Kylie Klassen scored the game's only goal 9:06 into the second period when she took a feed from Jenny Kistner down low and fired a shot that was blocked by an Oswego State defender. However, the rebound came right back to Klassen, who shoveled a low shot past Smith for the tally. It was the lone blemish on the evening for Smith, who was excellent in the loss for the Lakers, as she made several big saves in the third period to keep the score 1-0.

The Lakers pressed in the final minute with Smith pulled for an extra attacker, but Sydney Aveson made one of her 18 saves on a Megan Howe shot to preserve the win.

In a quick, clean game, both teams were only whistled for four combined penalties over the course of the contest.

Plattsburgh will face top-seed RIT in the championship game on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Rochester at Ritter Arena.


As far as the Lakers are concerned it was a great great hockey season. They were able to hold Plattsburgh to 34 shots in the game and allowed only one goal. This was the first time the Lakers had made it out of the 1st round of the ECAC West Tournment, which was accomplishment enough. The Lakers finished the eyar 11-14-2 and 8-8-2 in Conference.

Check back here with Solly on Sports tomorrow for a season recap and a small tribute to the Senior class!

(Photo provided by the Oswego State Athletics Department)

SUNYAC Title Shocker. Plattsburgh Beats the Lakers 3-2

















Its been a while since I've said this but Plattsburgh beats Oswego! In the SUNYAC Championship the Cardnails pull off a shocker in the title game with a 3-2 victory. Last time the cardnials beat the Lakers for the SUNYAC crown was in 2009 at Stafford. The Lakers had won 6 of the last 7 meetings and haven't lost a game to the cardnials since the 09 SUNYAC title game. Here is a recap of the action thanks to the Oswego State Sports Information Department.

The top-ranked Oswego State men's ice hockey team (22-3-2) nearly erased a two-goal deficit in the third period, but fourth-ranked Plattsburgh (19-4-4) held on to hand the Lakers a 3-2 loss in the State University of New York Athletic Conference Championship game Saturday night at the Campus Center Ice Arena. The loss snapped a 12-game winning streak for Oswego State, and was the first loss to the Cardinals since March 7, 2009 in the SUNYAC title game.

After a fast first period that saw no scoring and just one penalty, Jon Whitelaw scored his 19th goal of the season 30 seconds into a two-skater advantage for Oswego State, with a rocket from the circle, following Cardinal hooking and cross-checking penalties. Paul Rodrigues assisted the play at the 9:15 mark in the second period.

Plattsburgh evened the score before the end of the frame when it lit the lamp 21 seconds into an Oswego State tripping penalty. Nick Jensen and Paul Puglisi found Jared Docking for his seventh marker of the year at 18:49, as both teams went into the locker rooms locked at 1-1.

Cardinal defenseman Mike Grace put the visitors ahead 4:33 into the third period followed almost four minutes later by Nick Jensen's ninth goal of the season to put Plattsburgh ahead 3-1.

On the subsequent faceoff, the Lakers cut their deficit in half when Kyle Badham got the puck past Plattsburgh goaltender Mathieu Cadieux with 11:27 remaining in regulation.

Oswego State went on the power play late in the frame, but were denied. However, the Lakers continued to apply pressure in their offensive zone once the teams returned to full strength. Oswego State had two shots blocked in the waning moments and nearly sent the game into overtime, but a shot by David Titanic careened off the pipe to preserve the win for Plattsburgh.

Laker goalie Andrew Hare posted 24 saves in the losing effort, while Cadieux finished the game with 15 saves.

As far as this game was concerned, it was very entertaning to watch, form the perspective of a hockey fan in general. As for the Oswego State point of view, it could have gone better. The game was quiet to start and then had jump in the 2nd, but when Plattsburgh scored to tie the game at the end of the 2nd, it took the wind out of the sales. The Lakers played flat from what I saw the rest of the game, aside from the goal Kyle Badham scored to cut the lead to one.

The most dissapointing thing was the power play at the end of the hockey game. It was a theme on the night in that. It was way too much cute passing from the Lakers when it should have been just shoot the puck. As the old saying goes when in doubt shoot the damn puck. Oswego got into the NCAA tournment at the at large bid and will play Elmira in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournment. The lakers need to find their game and get back to it otherwise it could be a quick playoff exit against Elmira on Saturday. Puck is set to drop at 7PM between the Elmira Soaring Eagles and the Lakers form the Campus Center Ice Arena. The winner of this game will play the winner of Amherst and Plattsburgh in the final four at Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid New York, which if your an Oswego State fan will cause you're blood pressure and heart rate to go right through the roof.

Here was the all tournment team for the SUNYAC's:

SUNYAC Men's Hockey All-Tournament Team
Plattsburgh - Mike Grace - D - MVP
Plattsburgh - Nick Jensen - F
Plattsburgh - Mathieu Cadieux - G
Oswego State - Paul Rodrigues - F
Oswego State - Zack Josepher - D
Buffalo State - Mike Zanella - F