PLATTSBURGH, NY – With their backs against the wall after an 0-3 start in conference play and following a tough 2-1 loss in Morrisville the night before, the Plattsburgh State men’s hockey team stayed home Saturday night to take on the Cortland Red Dragons. The Red Dragons, who defeated the Cardinals in the SUNYAC semifinals last season despite dropping both regular-season meetings, arrived looking to extend their early-season momentum.
Plattsburgh struck first in the opening period. Senior Jake Sacratini(Montreal, Quebec) carried the puck to the offensive end on the wing, skated up the middle and executed a give-and-go with Quinn Tavares (Mississauga, Ontario) before burying the opening goal to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. Cortland responded with two goals in the second period, Morley Phillips scored five minutes into the period and Matthew DeSpirt followed two minutes later, assisted by JC Humphreys, giving the Red Dragons a 2–1 lead.
The Cardinals regrouped early in the third period to tie the game. Senior Lonan Bulger (Yellowknife, Northwest Territories) carried the puck into the zone and squared it Gabriel Filion (Montreal, Quebec), who waved it again to Sacratini. Sacratini then sent a pass over the front of the net which Bulger tapped in, making the match 2–2 and forcing extra time.
In 3-on-3 overtime, Plattsburgh completed the comeback. Senior Riley Sutherland (Burlington, Ontario) made the fast break and shot on goal, which was saved. Freshman Thierry Lizotte (Saint-François-de-la-Rivière-du-Sud, Quebec) followed the rebound and fired another attempt that was stopped, before finally tipping in the second chance rebound to give the Cardinals the 3-2 victory.
First-year goalkeeper Beau Lane (Pembroke, Mass.) made 29 saves to secure the win as Plattsburgh outscored Cortland 34-31 and won 34 of 68 faceoffs. The win improves the Cardinals to 3–3–0 overall and 1–3–0 in SUNYAC play, snapping their conference losing streak and giving the team a much-needed boost of confidence.
The Cardinals will now take part in the LayerEight Shootout hosted by Norwich next weekend, starting with a match against Middlebury on Friday at 4pm.
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