The Oswego State men's ice hockey team took its first loss of the year 2-1 SUNYAC-rival Geneseo on Tuesday night in the Marano Campus Center Arena. Oswego's loss drops its season mark to 5-1-3 overall and 3-1-1 in conference play while the Knights, who are receiving votes in both national polls, improve to 5-3-0, 4-3-0.
Both teams played the first two periods without a goal, but the final moments of the second period would dictate much to come in the third. With 1:22 left in the middle stanza, Oswego's Andrew Barton was called for butt-ending, a five-minute major, along with a game misconduct.
Geneseo was able to capitalize on that call exactly one minute into the final 20 minutes, as the Knight's leading scorer, Tyler Brickler, put home a tally. A few minutes later, Brickler was in the spotlight again, this time taking a penalty shot as a Laker covered the puck in the crease to prevent a goal. This time Oswego goaltender Matt Zawadzki got the better of Brickler, denying the senior's attempt.
At 12:25, however, Geneseo was able to add an insurance goal, as Derek Stahl got a lucky bounce off the wall behind Zawadzki, who was out to fetch the puck, and it caromed off the back of the goalie's skate and into the net.
Chris Raguseo spoiled Nick Horrigan's shutout bid as the buzzer sounded at the end of the contest. The referees put more time on the clock to allow for one more faceoff after the goal but it was not enough to get off a final shot.
Oswego led in most statistical categories on the night, severely out-shooting Geneseo 30-16 while owning the faceoff 32-27.
Zawadzki ended the game with 14 saves in the loss. The sophomore's record sits at 0-1-1 on the year.
After a break for Thanksgiving, the Lakers will be back in action at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5 at Plattsburgh.
