Goalie Jeff Flagler made 38 saves in in the SUNYAC game against Oswego.
Photo courtesy of fredoniabluedevils.com
SEAN MCGRATH
Assistant Sports Edito
The Fredonia Blue Devils, standing at sixth place in the SUNYAC rankings, looked to repeat their first game of the season by trying to knock off the Lakers in their own barn.
That dream fell just short, as the Blue Devils were on the opposite end of the scoreboard this time, falling 3-2 to end their season, despite two rallies with goals from Alex Perkins and Brian Doust and Jeff Flagler making 38 saves.
Oswego kicked off the scoring at the 15:41 mark of the first period when Mike Montagna parked in front of the net and took a pass from David Titanic, who wrapped around the net and pushed the puck to Montagna to tap it in past Flagler.
That was the only goal scored of the first period. Fredonia outshot Oswego, 11-9.
Fredonia would avenge the Lakers first period goal when Perkins carried the puck from one faceoff circle to the other in the Lakers zone and wristed a shot the carried over Lakers goaltender Matt Zawadzki’s right shoulder to even the score at 1-1.
Perkins’ goal was scored at the 9:56 mark of the second period, with assists going to Cory Melkert and Taylor Bourne.
Oswego’s Andrew Barton regained the lead just about four minutes later, when Barton and teammate Josh Timpano found themselves on a 2-on-1. Timpano sent a pass across to Barton, who finished with a hard shot that sped past Flagler and retook a one goal lead.
Fredonia continued their pressure on Oswego throughout the second period. Doust then scored the late tying goal for Fredonia at the 19:19 point of the second period.
Joining a two man rush, Mitch Kaufmann hung back to receive a pass from Stephen Castriota. Kaufmann then carried the puck to the top of the slot and wristed a shot as Zawadski, who made the save. Doust attacked the net and tapped in a rebound to tie the game.
Through two periods Fredonia still had an even score, and a whole period to play. Oswego just
edged Fredonia in shots, 18-17.
In the third Fredonia has typically used their youth to their advantage, putting on the most pressure in the final period of any game they have played.In this nights game, that was hardly the case, as Oswego turned up the heat, outshooting the Blue Devils 23-4 in the third period.
Despite putting on this immense amount of pressure Flagler was just as equal in net, making any save he could from glove to leg pad to even a few sprawling saves.
Fredonia had many chances to score their go ahead goal, but none were successful in doing so.
Only five minutes into the third period, Oswego found themselves on the powerplay when a bench minor was assessed to Fredonia for a too many men penalty.
With the man advantage, Oswego didn’t let the opportunity evaporate.
Matt Galanti scored the eventual game-winner for Oswego when he, along with Alex Botten and Bobby Gertsakis, had a couple of passes, plus a cross-ice pass in which Galanti buried past a sliding Flagler.
Fredonia would make every possible second count.
Late in the game, Fredonia pulled Flagler for the extra attacker. Almost working as chances were created, to the Devils dismay, nothing happened.
At the end of the game, Fredonia was sent home with a 3-2 loss. Fredonia finished the game being outshot 41-21.
At the end of the season, Fredonia’s final record stands at 7-14-6 overall. With sights set on a brighter season, they will return everybody except the six players who will graduate.