The nationally-ranked Oswego State men's ice hockey team was unable to capture a win in Norwich University's Northfield Savings Bank Holiday Tournament, suffering a 3-0 loss to Nazareth College in Saturday's consolation game. Oswego – ranked No. 1/1 in the latest USCHO and D3hockey.com polls – are amid a three-game losing streak, its longest since early November of 2015.
After opening the campaign with 10-straight victories, the Lakers are now 10-3-0 while the Golden Flyers improve to 5-7-2. Both teams will face-off again in exactly two weeks when Oswego visits Rochester, N.Y. on Jan. 13 to battle Nazareth at the Bill Grey Iceplex.
Nazareth was able to score one goal in each period, including the final tally in shorthanded fashion on an empty net. With the loss, Oswego still holds a 5-2 record in the all-time series against the Golden Flyers.
Senior goalie Matt Zawadzki made 13 saves while allowing two goals, falling to 5-2-0 on the year.
Oswego's special teams were a split decision, as the penalty kill unit was able to hold Nazareth scoreless on four attempts but its power-play unit were unable to capitalize on eight extra-man opportunities.
For the second-straight day – despite the unwanted results – Oswego owned the shots on-goal statistical category, out-attempting the Golden Flyers 25-16. Oswego also owned a 54-30 advantage in total shot attempts, but the Nazareth defense was active, blocking 18 Laker shots from even reaching the last line of defense – the goaltender.
The Lakers' next game will be the nightcap of the opening day of the annual PathFinder Bank/Oswego State Hockey Classic. Oswego will face nationally-ranked University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire at 7 p.m. on Friday following a 4 p.m. tilt between Utica and Curry Colleges.
