Oswego Men's Hockey Keeps Right On Rolling

Ever since the calender turned to 2014, the Oswego State Men's Hockey team has kept right on rolling along. First it started with the victory in the Pathfinder Bank Oswego Hockey Classic, winning both of their games, and capturing the title in a shootout. They followed that up with a shutout win at home over Nazareth. Now they took their act on the road for the first time in the new year, and came back with a pair of solid victories.

First up was a rematch with the Golden Eagles in Nazreth. Oswego made their first trip there since the hockey program at Naz has been istituted. Oswego pulled it out, walking away with a 5-3 win. Oswego jumped out to a 3-0 lead thanks to a pair of goals from Matt Galati (goals 9 and 10 on the year) and one from Chris Watterstreet, his 2nd of the year. They carried that three goal advantage into the intermission. Once the 2nd period got started, Nazareth came storming back, with two quick goals, one from David Seward and the other from Jon-Paul Durso. But Oswego would regain a two goal advantage thanks to Dylan Smith's 4th of the year. Seward would score again before the period ended, cutting Oswego's lead to just 4-3 heading to intermission. The Lakers would put the finishing touches on the win when Morgan Bonner scored his first career goal into an empty net, sealing a 5-3 Oswego win.

Ed Zdolshek took the loss for Nazareth, dropping his record to 0-9-2 on the season, as he stopped 18 of the 23 shots he faced. Meanwhile Matt Zawadzki picked up the win for Oswego, improving to 5-0-2 on the year, as he stopped 23 of the 26 shots he faced. Oswego went 2 for 5 on the powerplay, while Nazareth went 1 for 3.

The next night Oswego continued their road trip, heading to Memorial Auditorium in Utica to take on the same Pioneers team they just beat in the Championship game of the Pathfinder Bank Tournament. The result was exactly the same as the night before, Oswego skating away with a 5-3 win on the road. Mike Montagna got Oswego on the board first with his 4th of the season, a powerplay goal. Utica would answer back just over ten minutes later, when Adam Graff scored his 7th of the season. It took Oswego just 17 seconds to retake the lead, thanks to Brandon Adams 6th of the season. Oswego went into the first intermission holding a 2-1 lead. The two teams would trade goals in the 2nd period, with Dylan Smith scoring his 5th of the year for Oswego and Ridge Garbutt scoring his 4th of the year for Utica. The Lakers held the 3-2 lead going into the2nd intermission. When the 3rd period started, Oswego came out firing, scoring two quick goals, one from Kenny Neil, his 5th, and Matt Galati, his 11th. Utica got one back late, but the Lakers would hang on to the 5-3 victory.

Marcus Zelzer took the loss for Utica, dropping his record to 3-1-1 on the season, as he stopped 33 of the 38 shots he faced. Meanwhile Mat Zawadzki picked up the win for Oswego, improving his record to 6-0-2 on the year, as he stopped 22 of the 25 shots he faced. Oswego went 3 for 5 on the powerplay while Utica went 0 for 3.

Oswego then returned home for another rare Tuesday Night game at the Campus Center Ice Arena, this time playing host to Salve Regina. This time it wasn't a close, tight checking game. Oswego's offense exploded for 9 goals in a 9-3 victory. Jonathan Felteau and a pair from Cameron Gaudet provided the only scoring for Salve Regina. Oswego got plenty of offense to go around, getting goals from Shawn Hulshof (6th), Matt Galati (12th), Alex Botten (4th), David Titanic (3rd), Stephen Johnson (3rd), a pair from Chris Raguseo (2nd and 3rd) and a pair from Kenny Neil (6th and 7th).

Oswego now gets a little rest as they get set to play Nazareth and Elmira over the weekend!

(Photo provided by Oswego State Athletics)