Box score
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State men's hockey team opened the final weekend of the regular season in dominating fashion as the Cardinals defeated Cortland, 11-1, in a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) game Friday night at the Stafford Ice Arena.
The Cardinals wasted no time gaining control in Friday night as Kevin Emmerling put Plattsburgh State on the board just 49 seconds into the game. Alex Jensen netted the eventual game-winner 50 seconds later to give Plattsburgh State a quick 2-0 lead. Emmerling found the back of the net again at the 3:11 mark to make it a 3-0 game before Cortland got one back on the power-play with a goal by Nick Zappia at 6:58. Despite Plattsburgh State's slim 12-11 advantage in shots on goal, the Cardinals took a 3-1 lead to the locker room at the end of the first.
It was all Plattsburgh State the rest of the way with goals from Ryan Farnan and Alex Brenton to open the second period. Emmerling completed the hat trick at 6:22 of the second with his sixth of the season from Brenton. Michael Cassidy closed out the scoring in the middle frame with a power-play marker at 7:46 to hand Plattsburgh State a 7-1 lead after two periods.
Plattsburgh State added four more goals in the third period to earn the home team its most lopsided victory since the Cardinals defeated Potsdam by the same score on Oct. 26, 2007. Emmerling finished the night with three goals and an assist while Dillan Fox chipped in four assists. Jensen and Brenton each registered two goals and an assists. Luke Baleshta and Connor Gorman contributed two points apiece.
Plattsburgh State goaltender Mathieu Cadieux, who was recipient of the 2014 Chartwells Fan Favorite Award Friday night, made 16 saves through two periods to earn the win for the Cardinals. Cadieux gave way to senior goaltender Sam Foley in the third period, who made four saves in his first action this season.
Cortland's Mark Balkwill recorded 38 saves in the loss. Michael Staversky stepped in for the final 14:58, making two saves for the Red Dragons.
It was also a special night for the Cardinals, who honored Make-A-Wish child Matthew Wood. Wood was named an honorary member of the Cardinals for Friday's game, joining the Cardinal men's hockey team throughout its pregame routine and participating in a ceremonial puck drop.
With the win, Plattsburgh State improves to 19-3-2 overall and 12-1-2 in the SUNYAC. Cortland falls to 4-16-3 on the year and 3-10-2 in the conference. In other league games, Geneseo rallied for a 3-2 overtime victory against Buffalo State to remain atop the SUNYAC standings. Oswego State defeated Potsdam, 4-3, to clinch the No. 3 seed while Buffalo State secured the No. 4 seed despite the loss. Brockport and Fredonia are tied for fifth with 13 points apiece with both teams securing a playoff berth Friday night.
Plattsburgh State closes out the regular season tomorrow night at 7 p.m. when the Cardinals host the Oswego State Lakers. In addition to Senior Night festivities, the Cardinals will honor long-time radio broadcaster Ducky Drake prior to Saturday's game.
