SUNYAC CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTERFINALS – #7 BUFFALO STATE BENGALS AT #2 OSWEGO STATE LAKERS
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 – 7:00 PM
Deborah F. Stanley Arena – Oswego, NY
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LAST TIME OUT… Last time out, the Bengals dropped their regular season finale at #14 Oswego with a final score of 6-1.
Andrew Langlois (Aurora, ON/Cornwall Colts) scored the lone goal for the Bengals while
Liam Gross (Fort Washington, PA/New Jersey Rockets) made 37 saves in goal in the effort.
THE MATCHUP… The Bengals clinched a postseason spot for a second straight season after reaching the SUNYAC Semifinals a year ago. Each of the Bengals last two postseason trips have featured a trip to the semifinals, both at Oswego. Last season, the Bengals won both regular season contests while the Lakers countered this year with the same.
Oswego continues to be a mainstay atop the SUNYAC after earning the two-seed in the tournament. The Lakers are the reigning SUNYAC Champions after defeating Plattsburgh 5-2 a year ago. Oswego has also only lost just twice at home since the start of December.
All-time, Oswego holds a 59-6-4 record over the Bengals winning each of the last three matchups. Buffalo State is still in search of their first conference championship in program history while the Lakers look to be the first repeat champions since Geneseo won four-straight titles from 2018-2022. Prior to the Knights, the Lakers were the last repeat champions following the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
THE BENGAL BREAKDOWN… The Bengals enter the postseason with a record of 9-15-1 (6-11-1 SUNYAC) on the year. Buffalo State clinched the seven seed in this year's tournament while being a constant contender; clinch a postseason berth in all but two seasons since head coach
Steve Murphy took over in the 2015-16.
As a team, the Bengals have scored 67 goals with 98 assists as they have averaged 2.68 goals per game.
SCOUTING SIGNORETTI… Lucas Signoretti (Ottawa ON/Sudbury Cubs) has been one of the top players in the SUNYAC this season tallying 28 points on 13 goals and 15 assists with six power play goals and three game-winning goals. Signoretti sits in the top five in the SUNYAC in goals and points and has earned SUNYAC Weekly Honors on three separate occasions. He scored a season-high four goals against Potsdam and netted the overtime winner in a thrilling victory over Fredonia back in late January.
SPREADING THE PUCK AROUND… Nearly every Bengal has tallied at least one assist this season. Trailing Signoretti for the team lead includes
Austin Micale (Hamilton, NJ/Nashville Spartans) with 10 and
Aaron Andrade (Oakville, ON/Toronto Patriots) and
Andrey Manov (Chelyabinsk, Russia/Blind River Beavers) tied with eight apiece.
IN GOAL FOR THE BENGALS… Marcus Cumberworth (Surrey, BC/Olds Grizzlys) and
Ben Dardis (Pine Springs, MN/Olds Grizzlys) have split time this season starting 12 games each. The duo has combined for 668 saves on the year with a .907 save percentage. Dardis also has two shutouts for the Bengals this season.
A LOOK AT THE LAKERS… #14 Oswego enters the postseason with a record of 17-6-2 (14-4-0 SUNYAC) and won have three straight. The Lakers sit second in the conference in goals and assists as a team.
Leading the way this year for Oswego is Colin Vassallo and Matt McQuade who each have 24 points on the year. The duo has combined for 25 goals and 23 assists.
Oswego features a goaltending trio but the primary man has been Michael Manzi who leads the way with 14 starts. Across over 800 minutes of action, Manzi has 326 saves, a.918 save percentage, and three shutouts. Buffalo State saw Manzi back in mid-January before seeing Brandon Milberg in goal on Saturday night.
SCHEDULES/RESULTS…
BUFFALO STATE BENGALS: 9-15-1 (6-11-1 SUNYAC)
#14 OSWEGO STATE LAKERS: 17-6-2 (14-4-0 SUNYAC)
