OSWEGO, N.Y.—The top-ranked Oswego State Lakers (21-2-2, 14-0-2 SUNYAC) wore down the SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey team (8-15-2, 6-10-0) for a 3-0 victory on Saturday night. Despite the loss, the Bears still advance to the SUNYAC playoffs thanks to a Brockport 2-1 loss at Morrisville.

Potsdam battled Oswego to a scoreless draw in the first period. The Lakers had a slim 10-8 advantage in shots during the opening 20 minutes, which saw no penalties called.

Oswego picked up momentum in the second period after receiving up an early power play opportunity. The Lakers didn’t score, but the man advantage woke up their offense. After getting a second power play opportunity, Tyler Leimbrock put Oswego on the board 1-0 at the 9:03 mark. The Laker pressure continued to build and Jon Whitelaw made it 2-0 at 13:23. Oswego outshot Potsdam 22-4 in the middle period, but 20 saves from senior goalie Kevin McFarland kept them in the game.

Oswego didn’t let up in the third period, outshooting Potsdam 15-7. The Bears had three power plays in the final stanza, but didn’t get any pressure until the final one with 2:44 left. With 59 seconds to go, McFarland was pulled for an extra attacker, but Laker Matt Singleton sealed the Oswego victory with a shorthanded empty net goal.

McFarland finished with 44 saves, while Andrew Hare stopped all 19 shots he faced for the shutout.

Brockport held a 1-0 lead in the third period at Morrisville, but took two late penalties and surrendered a five-on-three power-play goal with 7.6 seconds left.

Potsdam, the No. 6 seed in the tournament, will now travel to face No. 3 Buffalo State on Wednesday, Feb. 22. The Bears swept the Bengals during the regular season, picking up a 3-2 win in Buffalo on Nov. 11 and recording a 5-1 win in Maxcy on Feb. 3.