Home play starts in dramatic fashion tonight when Brockport hosts the always-powerful Oswego Lakers.
Despite being a young team (8 freshmen and 5 sophomores), they are as polished as one would expect an Ed Gosek squad to be. Last weekend they twice thumped Elmira, 7-1 and 6-3.
Senior Kenny Neil, who had 17 goals last season, already has 4 on this young season. Freshman Jody Sullivan netted two goals last weekend.
Their defense, as Lakers tend to be, is stingy: They allowed a total of 43 shots from a good Elmira team over the two games.
If anyone can hang with Oswego it's Brockport as the Golden Eagles can manage puck possession against the big blueliners and pour on the shots.
Brockport has revenge on their mind, too, after having been drubbed 8-0 by Oswego in last year's playoffs. Brockport also lost to Oswego twice in the regular season and both were VERY competitive game).
A redemptive win would be a great way to endear themselves to the underclassmen in the stands who will be at their first Brockport hockey game.
On Saturday, Brockport travels to Cortland who will be nipping at Brockport's heels all season. The USCHO.com preseason coaches poll had Brockport pegged for 5th in the SUNYAC while Cortland was 6th.
In the season-opening weekend, Cortland played the Canton 'Roos twice, splitting the series.
Darren McCormick is their go-to guy. Last year, he lit the lamp 13 times. He already has two goals after 2 games.
A special talent to watch is freshman Dougie Elgstam, an export from Sweden whose European style of play will work well in DIII. He should be a perennial 12-goal scorer.
Also, watch out for a major rebound from Dan Broderick. The speedy young man scored 17 goals in his freshman season. He had "only" 9 goals last year -- but I don't know many people who'd be disappointed with 9 goals. Expect him to come close to doubling last year's output. He's good.
It will be a fun game and one that Brockport should win.
