The nationally-ranked Oswego State men's ice hockey dropped its third-straight game 4-1 to visiting Potsdam on Saturday night at the Marano Campus Center Arena. With the loss, the Lakers are now 1-3-1 both overall and in SUNYAC action while the Bears stay a perfect 6-0-0 overall and in the conference.
Despite Oswego outshooting Potsdam 45-22 and winning 23 more faceoffs (47-24), the Bears controlled action to a 3-0 lead at 3:25 in the final period. Less than three minutes later, the Lakers got on the board as a wide Andrew Barton shot was corralled by Joey Davies and dished back to Barton for a tally.
After a few killed penalties for each squad, Oswego pulled its goalie with just under four minutes remaining and drew another Potsdam infraction. The Lakers applied pressure, pumping eight shots at the Potsdam goaltender over the two-minute, extra-man opportunity, but was unable to find the back of the net.
For the second-straight night, the Laker penalty-kill unit was tested and answered the call, holding the Bears to just one conversion on six tries. Oswego's power-play team was unable cash in on three chances.
Senior Justin Gilbert started between the pipes for the Lakers, stopping 14 shots while allowing three scores. Sophomore Adrian Ignagni relieved his teammate early in the third period, making four saves before the final horn.
Oswego will be back in action at 7 p.m. on Friday when it hosts Morrisville in yet another edition of SUNYAC hockey. That evening will also be Military Appreciation Night.
