Ephs Fall to Oswego Lakers 3-0 at Home

 
Williamstown, MA- The Ephs (2-1-0, 2-0-0 NESCAC) fall to the Oswego Lakers (4-1-1) 3-0 at home. Oswego was able to pick up two goals early in the first period to gain momentum in the match.
 
In the net for the Ephs tonight was junior goalie Evan Ruschil. Recently named NESCAC Player of the Week, Ruschil has had two shut outs against Colby College and Bowdoin College this season. For the Lakers, Steven Kozikoski was in between the pipes. Koxikoski made a total of 24 saves today.  
 
Both teams came into tonight's matchup with quick aggression, pressing on the other throughout the three periods. A total of 17 power play opportunities were given out, 11 to the Ephs and 6 to the Lakers. Of the 6, the Lakers were able to capitalize on two in the first period.
 
First blood was drawn during the Laker's first power play advantage. While the Ephs tightened up their defensive line, Oswego's Shane Bull, assisted by Travis Broughman and Garrett Clegg, was able to pick up his teammate's rebound shot and dumped it right past Eph's goalie Evan Ruschil. The second goal was made with 47 seconds left in the first period when Ephs Faisal Alsaif was sent to the penalty box for holding, giving the Lakers a quick one-man advantage. Garrett Clegg, assisted by Shane Bull, was quick to take action, slapping the puck over Ruschil's shoulder putting the Lakers up by two.


 
Fresh out of the locker room, the Ephs looked forward to the second and third period to try to equalize the game after going two down after the first, The Ephs skated hard through the first half of the second period but still could not get a shot through Laker netminder, Steven Kozikoski.
 
With the two-goal lead, the Lakers were picking up confidence leading to a tightened defensive line which bought off time in the third period. With 2 minutes left in the period, head coach Bill Kangas pulled goalie Evan Ruschil from the net putting 6 men on. Although the Ephs continued to press into the Laker defensive line, they could not post a goal and Steven Kozikoski would walk away with his first shutout of the season.
 
The Ephs will come face to face again tomorrow at 3pm against the Oswego Lakers at Lansing Chapman Rink.
 
Quotes from head coach Bill Kangas will be posted shortly.