(BOX SCORE)

BUFFALO, NY—Nationally-ranked No. 2 Oswego (7-1-1/5-0-1) netted two goals 31 seconds apart and added an empty-netter to erase a third-period deficit and escape with a 5-3 victory over host Buffalo State (4-3/4-3) in a SUNYAC game tonight at the Ice Arena.

Justin Knee (Centralia, ON/South Huron) led the Bengals with a goal and an assist, and Nick Melligan (Sanborn, NY/Niagara-Wheatfield) and Matt Bessing (Elma, NY/Cheektowaga) also scored in the loss.

Oswego opened the scoring just 3:59 into the game, but Buffalo State's Melligan ripped a snapshot high glove side for his first collegiate goal to even the score midway through the opening period. 

Oswego reclaimed the lead with just over seven minutes remaining in second period with a power-play marker, but junior transfer Bessing knotted the score again with his first goal as a Bengal just over two minutes later.  Bessing took a quick shot that deflected off the goalie's glove after a hard-working cycle by Knee and Steve Wicklum (Charlotte, NC/LCCVI) produced the opportunity out front.

Knee gave the Bengals their first lead of the game just 1:34 into the final stanza when he deflected a one-time power-play shot by Trever McKinney (Oakwood, ON/Sinclair) to the back of the net.  The Lakers tied the score at the 9:23 mark, however, and then netted the game-winner just 31 seconds later.  Oswego iced the game with an empty-net tally with 10 seconds remaining.

The Lakers outshot Buffalo State, 40-25.  Kevin Carr (Unionville, ON/Unionville) made 35 saves in goal for the Bengals.

Buffalo State will next compete in the Adrian (Mich.) Tournament next weekend and will open against St. Thomas on Saturday at 2 p.m.