I miss college hockey
Thought this was interesting. I disagree with the way Oswego is predicted to finish second. I think they will tie Plattsburgh for first, if take first outright.
2004-05 SUNYAC Season Preview
by Russell Jaslow/SUNYAC Correspondent
Everything seemed to right itself in Cardinals land last season. Plattsburgh finished in first place, defeated Oswego in the SUNYAC Championships avenging the loss the year before, and made it back to the Frozen Four. Behind Plattsburgh, things may have been a bit skewed with a wild ending on the last weekend, but fans in Plattsburgh weren't worried too much about that.
This year, they may have to worry about what's behind them. Oswego looks to overcome some of its phasing-in period for a new coach, Potsdam wants to prove its second place finish was no fluke, and a resurgent Fredonia is looking to continue the upward movement. Meanwhile, Geneseo wants to avenge its playoff collapse, and Cortland and Buffalo State are ready to make some noise. Finally, Brockport is tired of taking up the rear, so it went out and performed a wholesale change.
Plattsburgh and Oswego should fight it out for first place in a battle worthy of their rivalry, and then meet in the championship finals. Meanwhile, if any of them falter, Potsdam or even Geneseo and Cortland could surprise fans and steal a bye. Otherwise, those three teams along with Buffalo State and Fredonia will be fighting for the remaining four playoff spots with Brockport perhaps acting as the occasional spoiler.
We always said how interesting the SUNYAC is because you are always fighting for something different depending on what position you are after. The coaches agree.
"Everybody is trying to secure a playoff spot," Cortland coach Tom Cranfield said. "Once you do that you're trying to get home ice in the first round. And once you do that you're trying to get a bye. Every game we play against conference opponents is a battle, and I think that is what you are going to see all year."
Oswego State Lakers
Coach: Ed Gosek, second season overall and at Oswego (19-9-3)
2003-4 overall record: 19-9-3
2003-4 SUNYAC record: 9-4-1
2003-04 SUNYAC finish: Third
2004-05 predicted finish: Second
If a first year coach led his team to a second place tie in his conference and then to the league championship final round stretching it to three games, many would consider that a successful debut.
The problem for Ed Gosek is that he took over a team that competed in the national final, leading going into the third period. Those were tough standards to equal, but all things considered, Oswego has to be happy with the job Gosek did his first year. The Lakers got off to a great start, slumped in the middle of the season, and except for a final weekend stumble, finished strong.
Despite some heavy losses to graduation, this year could be better as the team and the coach are now used to each other. Second place and quite likely a run to topple Plattsburgh at the top are likely scenarios for Oswego.
There could be one major obstacle - their lack of experience in goal. Gone are Tyson Gajda and capable backup Sebastien Matte. In their place are second year man Brett Leonhardt (who only played in three games last year for a total of 129 minutes) and two freshmen, Matt Wolf and Ryan Scott. If this group starts out slow, second place will be in jeopardy.
Also gone are standouts Joe Carrabs, Matt Vashaw, Mike Lukajic, and Rob Smith. That may make it appear there is no hope for second place, but a solid corps returns as well as new recruits that will make this Ed Gosek's team instead of George Roll's team.
On defense, Mark Strzoda (21 points), Justin Perron, Kevin Tracey, and Tony DuFour are more than capable of leading the effort. Tyler Rivers and T.J. Monastersky are two freshmen who look to make a mark.
A lot of scoring punch may have been lost to graduation, but there is still plenty of talent on the forward lines such as Don Patrick (50 points), Ryan Woodward (38 points), Andy Rozak (32 points), Jocelyn Dubord (15 goals), Jean-Simon Richard (23 points), Sean Kotary (22 points), and Gary Bowman. Newcomers to keep your eye on include Tony DiNunzio, John Duco, C.J. Thompson, and Bryan Fitzgerald.
If the goaltending question is answered, there will be plenty of more wins in what may be the final full season at the Romney Field House.
2004-05 SUNYAC Season Preview
by Russell Jaslow/SUNYAC Correspondent
Everything seemed to right itself in Cardinals land last season. Plattsburgh finished in first place, defeated Oswego in the SUNYAC Championships avenging the loss the year before, and made it back to the Frozen Four. Behind Plattsburgh, things may have been a bit skewed with a wild ending on the last weekend, but fans in Plattsburgh weren't worried too much about that.
This year, they may have to worry about what's behind them. Oswego looks to overcome some of its phasing-in period for a new coach, Potsdam wants to prove its second place finish was no fluke, and a resurgent Fredonia is looking to continue the upward movement. Meanwhile, Geneseo wants to avenge its playoff collapse, and Cortland and Buffalo State are ready to make some noise. Finally, Brockport is tired of taking up the rear, so it went out and performed a wholesale change.
Plattsburgh and Oswego should fight it out for first place in a battle worthy of their rivalry, and then meet in the championship finals. Meanwhile, if any of them falter, Potsdam or even Geneseo and Cortland could surprise fans and steal a bye. Otherwise, those three teams along with Buffalo State and Fredonia will be fighting for the remaining four playoff spots with Brockport perhaps acting as the occasional spoiler.
We always said how interesting the SUNYAC is because you are always fighting for something different depending on what position you are after. The coaches agree.
"Everybody is trying to secure a playoff spot," Cortland coach Tom Cranfield said. "Once you do that you're trying to get home ice in the first round. And once you do that you're trying to get a bye. Every game we play against conference opponents is a battle, and I think that is what you are going to see all year."
Oswego State Lakers
Coach: Ed Gosek, second season overall and at Oswego (19-9-3)
2003-4 overall record: 19-9-3
2003-4 SUNYAC record: 9-4-1
2003-04 SUNYAC finish: Third
2004-05 predicted finish: Second
If a first year coach led his team to a second place tie in his conference and then to the league championship final round stretching it to three games, many would consider that a successful debut.
The problem for Ed Gosek is that he took over a team that competed in the national final, leading going into the third period. Those were tough standards to equal, but all things considered, Oswego has to be happy with the job Gosek did his first year. The Lakers got off to a great start, slumped in the middle of the season, and except for a final weekend stumble, finished strong.
Despite some heavy losses to graduation, this year could be better as the team and the coach are now used to each other. Second place and quite likely a run to topple Plattsburgh at the top are likely scenarios for Oswego.
There could be one major obstacle - their lack of experience in goal. Gone are Tyson Gajda and capable backup Sebastien Matte. In their place are second year man Brett Leonhardt (who only played in three games last year for a total of 129 minutes) and two freshmen, Matt Wolf and Ryan Scott. If this group starts out slow, second place will be in jeopardy.
Also gone are standouts Joe Carrabs, Matt Vashaw, Mike Lukajic, and Rob Smith. That may make it appear there is no hope for second place, but a solid corps returns as well as new recruits that will make this Ed Gosek's team instead of George Roll's team.
On defense, Mark Strzoda (21 points), Justin Perron, Kevin Tracey, and Tony DuFour are more than capable of leading the effort. Tyler Rivers and T.J. Monastersky are two freshmen who look to make a mark.
A lot of scoring punch may have been lost to graduation, but there is still plenty of talent on the forward lines such as Don Patrick (50 points), Ryan Woodward (38 points), Andy Rozak (32 points), Jocelyn Dubord (15 goals), Jean-Simon Richard (23 points), Sean Kotary (22 points), and Gary Bowman. Newcomers to keep your eye on include Tony DiNunzio, John Duco, C.J. Thompson, and Bryan Fitzgerald.
If the goaltending question is answered, there will be plenty of more wins in what may be the final full season at the Romney Field House.