Oswego wins 2003 SUNYAC Men's Ice Hockey Title

State University of New York Athletic Conference

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For Immediate Release: March 9, 2003

OSWEGO WINS 2003 SUNYAC MEN’S ICE HOCKEY TITLE
Lakers defeat Plattsburgh 5-3 in Game 3, win the series 2-1

FREDONIA, NY – The Oswego Lakers earned their first State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) title since 1991, defeating Plattsburgh, winners of the last six championships, by a score of 5-3 on Sunday, March 9^th at Romney Field House in Oswego in the third and deciding game of the series. Along with the win, Oswego also earned an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Championship.

The Lakers won the game in dramatic fashion as Don Patrick (Fulton/Ferris State) drilled a shot past Plattsburgh goalie Craig Neilson (Markham, ONT) with 1:57 remaining in regulation breaking a three-all tie. Jocelyn Dubord (LaChenaie, QUE) and Joe Carrabs (Brampton, ONT) assisted on the play. Senior captain John Hirliman (Jamestown) sealed the victory scoring into an empty net as Neilson tried to get the bench for an extra attacker.

Plattsburgh’s Dave Young (Mississauga, ONT) scored two goals in the game, including a power-play goal with 4:28 left in the third to tie the game 3-3.

Oswego dropped the opening game of the SUNYAC Finals, falling to Plattsburgh by the score of 5-3 on Friday. The Cardinals used a three-goal outburst in the second period to break the game open. Plattsburgh goalie Curtis Cribbie (Parry Sound, ONT) made 30 saves for the Cardinals.

The Lakers forced a third and deciding game after defeating Plattsburgh 7-4 in the second game of the series on Saturday, marking the second straight year the two teams have gone to a third game. The top-seeded Lakers came out flying in the opening period scoring five times with Joe Carrabs getting the first Oswego goal at the 4:20 mark.

Mike Lukajic (Mississauga, ONT) scored five goals in the playoffs for the Lakers and earned tournament MVP honors. Also making the all-tournament team for Oswego were Tyson Gajda (Westfield, MA), Joe Carrabs, and Rob Smith (Belleville, ONT). Brendon Hodge (Lynnfield, MA) and Chad Kemp (Clencoe, ONT) earned all-tournament team honors for Plattsburgh.

Oswego (23-6-1) will learn their next opponent Sunday night when the pairings for the NCAA Division III Tournament are announced.

All-Tournament Team

MVP: Mike Lukajic, Oswego

Tyson Gajda, Oswego

Joe Carrabs, Oswego

Rob Smith, Oswego

Brendon Hodge, Plattsburgh

Chad Kemp, Plattsburgh