Neil Musselwhite Nets Four Goals In Oswego State Rout

For nearly four years, Neil Musselwhite has been one of the fastest skaters in Division III college hockey.  For nearly four years, Oswego State fans have been waiting for that speed to equate to more goals from the 5-foot-10 pivot.

On Friday night, Musselwhite delivered with three consecutive shorthanded tallies to go along with an even strength goal.  Two of his man-down markers came eleven seconds apart in the final minute of the second period to give Oswego State a 6-1 lead heading to the second intermission.  Musselwhite then scored his third shorthanded goal in the third minute of the third period to make it 7-1.

The Burlinton, Ontario native now has nine shorthanded goals for his collegiate career.  His season total of four is the most in the nation.  Nobody else has scored more than two.

Junior Chris Laganiere was credited with his third game-winning goal of the year when he beat Brockport backstop Todd Sheridan on the powerplay in the game's ninth minute.  Laganiere had also tied the game at 1-1 in the seventh minute.  He has eleven goals on the year, good for second-most in the country.

Senior net minder Kyle Gunn-Taylor has continued to shine since replacing a then-ill Paul Beckwith as the team's last line of defense.  He made 14 saves on 15 shots Friday night to earn his sixth straight win as a Laker without a loss.  His save percentage is an impressive .942 while his goals against average is a minuscule 1.34.

The Lakers will return to action Saturday night when they host Geneseo at 7 p.m.  Oswego State will go into that game with a chance to push their SUNY Athletic Conference lead to three points.  The Plattsburgh Cardinals were only able to take a point away from the night as Potsdam played them to a 3-3 tie.  That slides the Cardinals down to second place, one point behind Oswego State.

Photo - Jared Crast/Facebook