PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State men's ice hockey team opened up 2025 with a 3-0 win against Keene State in the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena. Jacob Hearne (Ennismore, Ontario/Toronto Jr. Canadiens) picked up his first shutout of the season, making 26 saves, while Aaron Catron (Middletown, Del./Philadelphia Jr. Flyers) scored twice to lead the offensive effort.

Catron scored a power-play goal to increase the Cardinal advantage in the second period, as well as an empty netter in the final minute, while Colin Callanan (Stony Point, N.Y./New York Apple Core) scored the game's opening goal and game-winner.

Plattsburgh State finished the night 1-4 on the advantage, with Catron's goal coming in their final power play chance, as the team held Keene State scoreless in five advantage chances. The Cardinals also outshot the Owls in the 60 minutes of action, 36-26.

The Cards move to 6-5 on the season and head to Wesleyan University tomorrow, Jan. 4, for a 7 p.m. matchup against the Cardinals of Wesleyan. Keene State falls to 5-6-1 on the season and next heads to Amherst on Sunday, Jan. 5.

In the first period, the Cardinals controlled play throughout, as the offense generated several opportunities all while the defense limited the chances for the Owls. Callanan broke the scoreless just over the nine-and-a-half-minute mark of the first period, as the junior forward corralled a loose puck in the slot with a one-timed shot and finish. Luk Jirousek (Whitehorse, Yukon/Alberni Valley Bulldogs) and Jack Ring (Hingham, Mass./Northeast Generals) each tallied assists on the play.

The 1-0 lead held through the first intermission, with the Cardinals holding a 13-3 advantage on shots, going scoreless on two power play opportunities in the back half of the period.

Despite Keene State flipping the script in the second period, outshooting Plattsburgh 17-12, the Cardinals were able to add to their lead, as they took advantage of their fourth and final power play of the night. A faceoff win from Catron gave the Cards the puck in their offensive zone to start the power play, allowing the Cardinals to set up their offense. Spencer Bellina (Medina, Ohio/Chippewa Steel) and Kevin Weaver-Vitale (Toronto, Ontario/Markham Royals) worked the puck around the point, finding Catron sinking into the left faceoff circle where he unleashed a powerful shot into the back of the net for the score.

Hearne made several key saves throughout the night, especially in the second stanza, stopping some point blank chances for the Owls and keeping Plattsburgh out in front. 

In the third period, the Plattsburgh State defense held Keene State to just six shots, allowing them to hold onto their two-goal cushion. After two penalty kills in the previous period, the Cards held the Owls to just one shot across two, two-minute advantages to keep visitors off the scoreboard. A timeout under the two-minute mark set up Keene State to pull their goalie, leading to the final score of the game for Plattsburgh. Catron added the game-sealing goal in the final minute, freeing up a loose puck along the boards, springing himself for a breakaway, empty-net score.

Ben Skelton made 33 saves in net for the Owls, taking the loss allowing two goals.