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January 1, 2009

Cardinals set to start second half

By JOHN CORYER

PLATTSBURGH -- The Plattsburgh State men's hockey team has a difficult act to follow during the second half of the 2008-09 season.

The Cardinals return to the ice after dodging some anxious moments on their way to an unbeaten first half.

Top-ranked Plattsburgh State hosts the Annual Cardinal Classic today and Saturday at the Stafford Ice Arena. Today's opening-round schedule has Castleton State against Williams College at 4 p.m., followed by Wesleyan University versus Plattsburgh State at 7 p.m.

Saturday, the third-place game is set for 4 p.m. and the title contest at 7 p.m.

"We're always looking to play teams in the tournament that we wouldn't normally see during the regular season," said Plattsburgh State head coach Bob Emery. "We have a good field of teams this year."

The Cardinals, who went 7-0-1 during the first half of the State University of New York Athletic Conference regular season, bring a 9-0-2 overall mark into the weekend. They have outscored their foes by a 54-26 margin.

Plattsburgh State's last game prior to this weekend was a 5-3 home victory over Cortland on Dec. 6. The night before, the Cardinals were 4-3 overtime winners over rival Oswego.

Wesleyan, which competes in the NESCAC, is 1-5 overall and 1-3 in its conference. The Cardinals last played on Dec. 6 when they dropped a 5-2 decision at Babson. Wesleyan has scored 10 goals and allowed 19 in six games.

"Their coach (Chris Potter) has been there for a few years now, and they're getting better," Emery said. "They don't shy away from anybody.

"They were in our tournament a couple of years ago, but we didn't get a chance to play them."

Williams College, which is 4-2 overall and 3-1 in the NESCAC, isn't a stranger to Plattsburgh State. The Ephs, who own a 3-2 win over Potsdam State this season, have been idle since a 5-4 overtime victory at Salem State on Dec. 6. Williams has been outscored by its oppnents, 21-19.

"We play Williams all the time, and they have had success in Plattsburgh in the past," Emery said.

Bill Kangas, in his 21st season as head coach at Williams, has compiled a 259-197-37 career mark.

Castleton State, meanwhile, competes in the ECAC East and currently sports a 4-4 overall mark and 1-3 conference record. The Spartans have outscored their opponents, 29-21, and last played on Dec. 13 with an 8-0 win at Plymouth State.

Castleton has already beaten two SUNYAC teams this season with a 6-2 win over Potsdam and a 4-1 victory over Brockport.

"Castleton's coach (Alex Todd) is working hard, and they are getting stronger all the time," Emery said. "They beat Norwich last year."

The Spartans, in their first year of Division III hockey, went 0-19 in 2003-04. But in 2006-07, they compiled a 17-6-4 mark in Todd's second year as head coach. Castleton State finished with a 13-11-2 mark a season ago.

Plattsburgh State will likely be without the services of standout defenseman Nick Rolls, who is still nursing an injury.

"Nick has been skating, but we don't want him to re-injure himself," Emery said. "That's why we're taking time with him to make sure he's ready to play.

"Everyone is back and they're anxious to play."

Last year, the Cardinals recorded a 3-2 win over St. Scholastica in the championship game following a 9-2 victory over Tufts in the opening round.

There are still tickets available to be purchased at the door.

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