OSWEGO, N.Y. — In one of the fiercest rivalries in college hockey, the Plattsburgh State men's hockey team opened SUNYAC play on the road Friday night against No. 8 Oswego State, looking to avenge last year's SUNYAC Championship defeat that ended the Cardinals' season. Plattsburgh entered the matchup holding an 82-52-9 advantage in the all-time series, but despite a strong effort and a fast start, the Cardinals fell 3–2 in heartbreaking fashion at the Deborah F. Stanley Arena.
Plattsburgh wasted no time setting the tone, striking just 1:08 into the contest. Jake Sacratini (Montreal, Quebec) generated the play, getting a skate on the puck to force a turnover deep in the Oswego defensive zone. The loose puck rolled to senior Colin Callanan (Stony Point, N.Y.), who quickly fed it back to Sacratini, and the senior forward finished the chance to give the Cardinals an early 1–0 lead.
The game tightened from there as both sides traded chances through a physical and fast-paced opening period. Plattsburgh continued to press, but Oswego's defense held firm, and the Lakers eventually broke through early in the third period. Jesse Horacek evened the score at 1–1 just 1:57 into the final frame before Brandon Cohen put the Lakers ahead minutes later.
The Cardinals, however, refused to go quietly. In 4-on-4 action midway through the third, Sacratini once again played a key role, entering the attacking zone with speed before dropping the puck back to Vladislav Pshenichnikov (Moscow, Russia) on the right wing. The junior forward cut toward the slot and unleashed a perfectly placed shot that beat the goaltender to tie the game at 2–2.
In devastating fashion, the game slipped away in the final second. Oswego fired a shot toward goal that was initially stopped, but with a scramble erupting in the crease and time nearly expired, the Lakers poked home the rebound with one second left to secure the 3–2 victory.
Junior Dominik Bovan (Bratislava, Slovakia) made 24 saves for Plattsburgh, including several key stops that kept the Cardinals within striking distance. Sacratini finished with a goal and an assist, while Pshenichnikov added his first of the season.
Plattsburgh continues SUNYAC play tomorrow night, traveling to No. 1 Hobart for a 4 p.m. matchup.
