Photo Credit: Alexis Fragapane

Oswego (5-4-0, 3-1-0) is set to wrap up their 5 game home stand this weekend at the Campus Center Ice Arena. On Saturday afternoon Oswego squares off with the first place Niagara University Purple Eagles (10-1-0, 6-1-0) and on Sunday afternoon Oswego hosts the Erie Community College Kats (1-1-0).

Niagara has put together a very impressive start to their season – winning 10 of their first 11 games and outscoring conference opponents 44-17. Most notably, Niagara took down the 2-time defending NECHL Champion University at Buffalo Bulls earlier this month – a game in which they found themselves trailing 3-2 after 2 periods and 4-3 with 10 minutes to play. Despite the deficit, NU was able to score 2 goals late to beat the Bulls 5-4 on the road. NU is led by Junior transfer David Christopher (8-14-22) up front and freshman goaltender, Bennett Oxborough (5-1, 2.5 GAA) in net. Head Coach Chris Timmons is ready for Saturday’s big matchup.

“We are definitely looking forward to this one…hopefully we can continue the goal scoring spree we have been on these past couple weekends. I think we have some confidence with putting the puck in the back of the net, but now we need to elevate our game as a whole against a skilled team like Niagara. They have beaten some quality teams in this league, so should be a fun matchup.”

Saturday’s game against NU will also be for a measure of redemption for the Lakers. Although Oswego got the best of the Purple Eagles in the regular season last year with a pair of 5-4 wins it was NU that ended Oswego’s season on an abrupt note in the first round of the NECHL playoffs. Oswego was upset by the 6th seeded Purple Eagles 8-2 in Buffalo last March in the NECHL Quarterfinals.

Prior to Saturday’s game Oswego will host their annual Alumni Game and throughout the game on Saturday against NU Oswego will celebrate the program’s 15th anniversary. In addition, Oswego will sport their “throwback” yellow jerseys to commemorate the program’s milestone. Head Coach Chris Timmons is looking forward to a busy Saturday.

“I’m excited to be a part of it...it will be nice to see some old friends and take the ice without the whistle and board. It’s always great to setup the event and get the alumni back in town especially with the opportunity to see how the program has progressed in recent years. It will definitely be a good way to start the morning.”

On Sunday afternoon the ECC Kats (ACHA Division II) come to town. Oswego beat the Kats 6-3 on the road last season – a game that featured a Mike Lemieux hat trick. Erie is coming off of a 10-0 victory against Hobart College (ACHA Division II).

Oswego is coming off of a 10-1 thumping of their own as they beat SUNY Cortland in a non-conference matchup in their only game of the weekend last Friday. (8) Different goal scorers helped the Lakers to a blowout win including a pair of goals from Andrew Cardi and Brett Dawson. Anthony Robinson (Horseheads, NY) also notched his first career ACHA goal in the contest.

Both Saturday and Sunday’s game will begin at 2 PM. Both games, as well as Saturday morning’s alumni game, are free and open to the public. Doors open 45 minutes prior to puck drop. As for all home games – each game this weekend will also be streamed for free live on the team’s YouTube channel.