OSWEGO – The Lakers ACHA hockey program has released a preliminary schedule for the 2022-2023 season, adding an additional 2 games to their regular season schedule that features 11 NECHL conference and 20 out of conference contests. The Lakers will open their season at home vs Temple University on September 17. Specialty nights for this year will include Military Appreciation night, Pink The Rink, Teddy Bear Toss, and Senior Night – which will be announced at a later date. The largest point to note on the schedule is the addition of The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) to the NECHL Conference, who made the jump from ACHA Division 2 for the 2022-2023 season. Head Coach, Travis Hyde, had a few words on the composition of the schedule; “I like the look of our schedule for this year. We locked in a fair amount of home games that will help limit our need to travel. Our conference schedule is a bit heavier down the stretch in January and February, which historically is where the program tends to find its groove, which should fair well heading into a playoff run and potential national tournament bid. Playing TCNJ will be a good test for us, and should provide some comfortability with playoffs (NECHL) being in New Jersey this year and us traveling their the weekend prior. Along the way, some stronger opponents such as IUP, John Carroll, and Villanova will help to test our strengths and become more battle tested for February and March.”

The Oswego Lakers are coming off their best season in program history, finishing 18-8-3 and breaking the overall win total in single season history which included going 7-2 into playoffs. However, the job was left unfinished losing in the final minute 3-2 of the NECHL Conference Championship to respected opponent, Niagara University. The loss was tough to swallow for a lot of players, as well as 1st year Head coach Travis Hyde. “The guys felt like they had all the pieces of the puzzle, as did I. We were playing great hockey down the stretch and it came down to one play and one bounce. Sometimes, that’s the way it goes but we learn and build for our next opportunity.” With Niagara University jumping ship to the ESCHL conference for the 2022-2023 season, Coach Hyde likes where they stand in the NECHL. “I think we have a great thing going. The program found its level of success and we are continuing to build through the summer to be even more successful next year. While it was tough to see a strong and respected opponent in Niagara leave the conference, I feel we have a great thing developing to be right back where we were this past season. Expectations are high so hopefully we will be hoisting some hardware at the end of it all.”

The NECHL recently re-adapted the ACHA National Tournament auto-bid to “Playoff Champion”, returning from the recent “Regular Season Champion” it has previously been. The ACHA National tournament will be held in Attleboro, Massachusetts beginning on March 16, 2023.