Box score
 
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – After suffering a loss to Oswego State last weekend, the Plattsburgh State men's hockey team came into Saturday's game looking for revenge but the Lakers had different plans, handing the Cardinals a 2-1 loss in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Semifinals Saturday night at the Stafford Ice Arena.
 
Much like their meeting last weekend, the two teams were scoreless after the first period of play. A back-and forth opening frame left the Cardinals with a 9-7 advantage in shots on goal at the first intermission.
 
A power-play opportunity early in the second allowed Plattsburgh State (19-5-2) to strike first. Alex Jensen took a centering pass from Kevin Emmerling and fired a shot to the left of Oswego State goaltender Matt Zawadzki to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead with 2:49 gone in the second. Dillan Fox also picked up an assist on Jensen's team-leading 13^th goal of the season.
 
The Cardinals took the one-goal lead into the third period but Oswego State (19-6-2) came firing back with a power-play goal at the 6:24 mark to even the score at 1-1. David Titantic grabbed a puck that bounced off the back boards and attempted to score on a wrap-around but the puck sailed through the left circle where Mike Montagna punched a shot past Mathieu Cadieux for the equalizer.
 
The Lakers knocked the wind out of the Cardinals' sail at the 10:15 mark of the third period when Josh Timpano caught Cadieux by surprise with a backhanded shot that snuck between Cadieux's left skate and the post to give Oswego State a 2-1 lead. Andrew Barton was credited with the assist on the eventual game-winner and Timpano's first career goal.
 
Plattsburgh State had a number of chances through the final nine minutes of play but the Cardinals were unable to find a way to score. The Cardinals' best chance to tie it up came with just over a minute left when a scrum in front of the net left Zawadzki on his back and without a stick. Despite a number of Plattsburgh State players poking at the puck, it just wasn't to be as the Lakers were eventually able to carry the puck out of their own end.
 
The Cardinals finished the night with a 32-25 advantage in shots on goal. Plattsburgh State went 1-for-3 on the power play while Oswego State was 1-for-5.
 
Cadieux made 23 saves in the loss, bringing his record to 18-5-2 on the year. Zawadzki stopped 31 of the 32 shots he faced in the Lakers' win.
 
Saturday's collapse was one of historic proportions for Plattsburgh State. The Cardinals, who were making their 27^th appearance in the SUNYAC Tournament, have never not made the SUNYAC Finals. The loss snaps Plattsburgh State's streak of appearing in 22 straight SUNYAC Championship games.
 
In the other SUNYAC Semifinal game, No. 1 seed Geneseo shutout No. 4 seed Buffalo State, 2-0. The Ice Knights will host Oswego State next Saturday with the conference crown on the line.
 
With their early exit from the conference tournament, the Cardinals may now find themselves on the outside looking in for the NCAA Tournament as their season rests in the hands of the NCAA Selection Committee. The field for the NCAA Division III Tournament will be announced on Sunday, March 9^th in a live selection show on NCAA.com at 10 p.m. eastern time.