PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State men's hockey team got exactly what it was looking for as they revenge a loss against Norwich from earlier in the season at the PrimeLink Great Northern ShootOut by upending the #1 Cadets 4-1 and giving them their first loss of the season.
The first period featured a combined 21 shots but neither team relinquished a goal in a back and forth period.
However, the second period featured a different tale as the Cardinals erupted for four tallies in the middle frame.
Senior, Connor Toomey would get things started in a hurry as he scored not once but twice within the first two minutes of the second period.
Toomey's first goal came 38 seconds into the stanza as he beat Cadets goaltender Braeden Ostepchu on a breakaway.
Norwich would be up a penalty after the whistle to put Plattsburgh right on the power play following the goal where Toomey would capitalize for his fifth goal.
Just over 11 minutes of play would go by before junior Luke Baleshta would notch his third of the season ripping one glove high on Ostepchu.
With 3:12 remaining the Cardinals would tally their fourth and final goal, courtesy of Connor Gorman. The goal was scored shorthanded as the Cadets were just starting a nine second power play.
The third period would remain fairly quiet as the Cadets were unable to chisel away at their four goal deficit.
Norwich would get on the board however after calling a timeout with 52 seconds left in regulation Dean Niezgoda would tap in a goal less than 20 seconds in the game. Niezgoda received a pass on the front of the crease from William Pelletie.
Plattsburgh State's Spencer Finney would finish the night with 30 saves and improve to 7-0-1. Ostepchu would make 14 saves in the first two period before being lifted at the start of the third for Matic Marinek who made all nine stops he faced.
The Cardinals who improved to 11-2-1 on the season will look to keep the momentum going with a trip to Saratoga Spring, N.Y. to take on the Skidmore Thoroughbreds at 7 p.m. on Friday.
