Men's Hockey v. Elmira: Players To Watch

For anybody coming to tonight's game here's some hints on players to watch for each team:

Oswego

#20 Erek Selleck: Selleck has been a force for the Lakers in their first 4 games this season as a freshman. Erek is a big power forward that can lay a hit and also put the puck in the net. He'll find himself in the right place at the right time a lot and will get a lot of chances in front of the night with the Magagna/Chamberlain line.


#13 Jared Anderson: Possibly the most underrated recruit in this year's Oswego recruiting class. Anderson has been rock solid on the back line for the Lakers. While he doesnt have the over-powering prescence of Van Boxmeer, the kid is an all-around solid defensive defensemen. Rarely will he get beat by a forward and almost everytime he'll force his man outside and tie him up around the net so he can't get a clear shot off.


#21 Brendan McLaughlin: Proud owner of the McSlapper, McLaughlin has been getting things going after a slow start in the USA game and the first Elmira game. McLaughlin, possessing some of the best hands and on the team will frustrate Elmira all day long from the point on the powerplay. McLaughlin can be lethal when he gets time and a clear shot from the top of the circle.


#11 Neil Musselwhite: Musselwhite will be the fastest skater on the ice bar none tonight. Neil had some chances against Elmira in their first meeting but got stoned on a breakaway by Casey Tuttle in the first period. Neil's line tallied their first points of the season last night and they are going to be integral to the Laker's success this season if they're going to be successful. I'd like to see Reisweber on his line tonight. Neil is also part of the Oswego PK who will have to step up big tonight after getting embarrased for 3 goals two weeks ago.

Elmira

#10 Darcy Vaillancourt: This kid can flat out play. He doesnt have overwhelming size, but he can skate like the wind as well as have tremendous hands and ice vision. Vaillancourt is quickly making in-roads in the EC line-up as he runs the point on the top EC PP unit. He's already scored two powerplay goals this season on absolute laser blasts from the top of the circle. Oswego needs to focus on him and make sure he's neutralized. Best way to do that, STAY OUT OF THE BOX!

#9 Dave McKenna: McKenna gets his chance to get back into the line-up and hopefully he makes up for lost time. McKenna needs to be the energy man on the Schrank/Masters line. He's got a great mix of speed, playmaking ability, and scoring touch. The Schrank/Masters pairing was completely ineffective against Plattsburgh so hopefully they'll come out fired up to prove they can be just as good as they were last year leading the team to the Frozen Four.

#25 Kyle Branson: The Senior captain is the leader of a relatively young defensive unit. Branson isnt going to light up the score board on any night, but he is going to be key in shutting down Oswego's top two lines as he's played against them all four years of his career. He also needs to be a mentor to his freshman defensive pair, Brock Sawyer who one day will probably be taking over Branson's role as a defensemen leader. Sawyer's talent is raw and needs some developing. Hopefully, the last week in practice they've made some improvements.

#13 Albert Mitchell: Mitchell is the catalyst of the Soaring Eagles. While Oswego fans might laugh at his size, Mitchell will qucikly turn your head with his ability to outmaneuver guys that are nearly twice his size (exageration, but you know what i mean) and get shots off as well as set up plays for his linemates. Mitchell was one of the few bright spots for Elmira against Plattsburgh and usually always seems to play well against Oswego drawing penalties and frustrating the Laker defenders.

Derek Dunning