UTICA, N.Y. - Stevenson Men's Hockey faced off against (RV) Oswego State this afternoon in the preliminary round of Utica's Delta by Marriott Thanksgiving Showcase. Though the Mustangs were the only team to hold a lead throughout the game, Oswego caught up in the third to force overtime. With under one second remaining in overtime, the Mustangs found the back of the net to clinch their spot in tomorrow night's championship match.
The Mustangs were responsible for the lone goal of the first period, coming at the halfway point thanks to junior center John Musella. The goal was Musella's first on the year and both senior Evan Beers and sophomore Matt Yeager earned assists in the effort.
Oswego would tie the game a mere 36 seconds into the second period on their power-play, but the Mustangs needed just a few minutes to regain their lead. Senior Aidan Graham would find the back of the net for the third time this season as classmate Liam McCanney notched his seventh point on the assist.
Stevenson carried their scoring momentum into the third as junior Caden Smith scored at the seven-minute mark, citing assists from Beers once again as well as classmate Blake Benson.
The Lakers' Matt McQuade scored twice in the third to knot the game at three, forcing a five-minute 3-on-3. Stevenson dominated overtime, outshooting Oswego 6-2, and their sixth shot would serve as their last.
With .3 seconds to go, Benson lit the lamp to end the game, giving Beers his third assist on the night while senior Graeme McCrory notched his third of the season. Benson's goal was his third on the year while Beers' performance tonight sets him at five.
Oswego outshot Stevenson 35 to 21, but junior Ford DeLoss came up big for 32 saves in the win. In front of DeLoss, Jack Melon, Jack Costabile, and Benson each blocked two Laker shots.
In the circle, Musella won ten draws, followed by Smith with nine wins.
The win is the Mustangs' fifth on the season and propels them to tomorrow's 7:30 p.m. championship. Following tomorrow's contest, Stevenson returns to MAC play on Friday, December 6th with their series at Wilkes University.
