Both the Laker men's and women's hockey teams will host crucial playoff games on Tuesday, March 3, with one contest the renewal of one of the most storied rivalries in college sports.
Oswego men's hockey welcomes Plattsburgh once again to the Marano Campus Center arena at 7 p.m. in a SUNYAC semifinals matchup that also continues the ongoing #OzWhiteout tradition. The Lakers (15-9-1, 12-3-1 in conference) come in as the second seed after a bye against the fifth-seeded Cardinals (10-13-3, 6-8-2 in SUNYAC), who defeated Brockport 3-2 in double overtime last Wednesday. Described by Sports Illustrated as one of the best under-the-radar rivalries in college athletics, the two teams and a large contingent of Laker fans dressed in white are used to seeing each other in the SUNYAC playoffs in pursuit of an NCAA tournament bid. While Oswego has swept Plattsburgh in the team's two games this season, the high emotions and high stakes mean anything can happen. The winner travels to Geneseo in the SUNYAC title game. (Read more about the #OzWhiteout rivalry.)
The Laker women's team has just as important a game with a 3 p.m. puck drop on Tuesday, facing Morrisville in a NEWHL semifinal. Second-seeded Oswego (15-6-4, 10-4-4 in NEWHL) took two of three from the third-seeded Mustangs (12-12-1, 9-8-1 in conference) this season, but all were taught, thrilling games. The winner will move one win away from either program's first NCAA tournament appearance, with the road running through top-ranked Plattsburgh.
As always, award-winning student media outlets WTOP-10 TV and WNY0 FM will broadcast the action.