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Re: Plattsburgh State Hockey 13-14 Season 25
Plattsburgh State hosts Oswego in SUNYAC semifinals {Article courtesy of the Plattsburgh Press Republican 3/1/2014}
Plattsburgh State hosts Oswego in SUNYAC semifinals {Article courtesy of the Plattsburgh Press Republican 3/1/2014}
It’s been just seven days since Plattsburgh State last played Oswego, but the Cardinals are glad to get another chance against the Lakers.
“I think a lot of guys were pretty pumped up that they did win the (quarterfinal) game (Wednesday) night,” Plattsburgh defenseman Brandon Beadow said. “It was a heartbreaking loss last week, so anytime that happens you can’t wait to get another crack at them.”
After ending the regular season with a loss to its archrival, No. 2 seed Plattsburgh will host No. 3 seed Oswego again tonight in a SUNY Athletic Conference Tournament semifinal men’s hockey game at Stafford Ice Arena. The championship game will be next weekend.
Oswego (18-6-2) is the only conference team Plattsburgh (19-4-2) has not beaten this season. The teams tied 3-3 in December, and last weekend the Lakers scored with 2:32 left in the third period to grab a 4-3 win at Stafford.
“This week for us, it’s been back to the basics a little bit,” Plattsburgh coach Bob Emery said. “Working hard. Trying to get some dirty goals. And then puck management and possession in our own end is important, too.”
The Lakers reached tonight’s game by defeating No. 6 seed Fredonia 3-2 on Wednesday. Matt Zawadzki, who entered in the second period last Saturday and earned the victory, got the start against the Blue Devils. Oswego has won its last three games, all by a one-goal margin.
The Lakers were 2-for-3 on the power play and perfect on the penalty kill against Plattsburgh last week. Emery also credited them for being strong on the rush and keeping the Cardinals from getting second chances in front of the net.
Both Emery and Beadow said Plattsburgh played well in that game but will need to be a little better this time.
“I was happy with our effort, but we can’t be giving up four goals,” Emery said.
Like last Saturday, the Cardinals will be without defenseman Patrick Hermans and forward Dakota Mason, who are both injured.
Plattsburgh and Oswego are accustomed to meeting in the SUNYAC playoffs, although the last two years it has been in the championship game. The Cardinals won the final two years ago, and the Lakers prevailed last season.
Beadow said the rivalry is so intense that there’s not much difference between regular-season games and playoff contests.
“Anytime, whether it’s the third game of the season or the semifinals of the SUNYAC championship, it’s a playoff game,” Beadow said. “So we kinda know what to expect.”
Both teams will be fighting to keep their seasons alive. Oswego is eighth in the NCAA East Regional Rankings. After last week’s loss, the Cardinals dropped a spot to third, and a setback this week could keep them out of the NCAA playoffs.
“I think right now our chances are kind of limited if we do not win this weekend’s game, so I think basically most of our focus is on Oswego this weekend,” Beadow said. “Pretty much do-or-die hockey right now.”
Email Courtney Lewis:clewis@pressrepublican.com Twitter: @sportsCourt
CARDINAL Q&A To watch this week's Cardinal Q&A video featuring Brandon Beadow, visit pressrepublican.com. And for updates from today's game, follow @sportsCourt on Twitter.
“I think a lot of guys were pretty pumped up that they did win the (quarterfinal) game (Wednesday) night,” Plattsburgh defenseman Brandon Beadow said. “It was a heartbreaking loss last week, so anytime that happens you can’t wait to get another crack at them.”
After ending the regular season with a loss to its archrival, No. 2 seed Plattsburgh will host No. 3 seed Oswego again tonight in a SUNY Athletic Conference Tournament semifinal men’s hockey game at Stafford Ice Arena. The championship game will be next weekend.
Oswego (18-6-2) is the only conference team Plattsburgh (19-4-2) has not beaten this season. The teams tied 3-3 in December, and last weekend the Lakers scored with 2:32 left in the third period to grab a 4-3 win at Stafford.
“This week for us, it’s been back to the basics a little bit,” Plattsburgh coach Bob Emery said. “Working hard. Trying to get some dirty goals. And then puck management and possession in our own end is important, too.”
The Lakers reached tonight’s game by defeating No. 6 seed Fredonia 3-2 on Wednesday. Matt Zawadzki, who entered in the second period last Saturday and earned the victory, got the start against the Blue Devils. Oswego has won its last three games, all by a one-goal margin.
The Lakers were 2-for-3 on the power play and perfect on the penalty kill against Plattsburgh last week. Emery also credited them for being strong on the rush and keeping the Cardinals from getting second chances in front of the net.
Both Emery and Beadow said Plattsburgh played well in that game but will need to be a little better this time.
“I was happy with our effort, but we can’t be giving up four goals,” Emery said.
Like last Saturday, the Cardinals will be without defenseman Patrick Hermans and forward Dakota Mason, who are both injured.
Plattsburgh and Oswego are accustomed to meeting in the SUNYAC playoffs, although the last two years it has been in the championship game. The Cardinals won the final two years ago, and the Lakers prevailed last season.
Beadow said the rivalry is so intense that there’s not much difference between regular-season games and playoff contests.
“Anytime, whether it’s the third game of the season or the semifinals of the SUNYAC championship, it’s a playoff game,” Beadow said. “So we kinda know what to expect.”
Both teams will be fighting to keep their seasons alive. Oswego is eighth in the NCAA East Regional Rankings. After last week’s loss, the Cardinals dropped a spot to third, and a setback this week could keep them out of the NCAA playoffs.
“I think right now our chances are kind of limited if we do not win this weekend’s game, so I think basically most of our focus is on Oswego this weekend,” Beadow said. “Pretty much do-or-die hockey right now.”
Email Courtney Lewis:clewis@pressrepublican.com Twitter: @sportsCourt
CARDINAL Q&A To watch this week's Cardinal Q&A video featuring Brandon Beadow, visit pressrepublican.com. And for updates from today's game, follow @sportsCourt on Twitter.
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