By JOHN CORYER
PLATTSBURGH -- Plattsburgh State head men's hockey coach Bob Emery summed up his team's performance Saturday night in just two words.
"Winning ugly," he said.
Dylan Clarke's goal with 45 seconds left in regulation gave the Cardinals a 3-2 win over Cortland in State University of New York Athletic Conference play at the Stafford Ice Arena.
The victory, coming on the heels of Friday night's exciting 3-2 overtime win over Oswego, improved Plattsburgh State to 11-0 in the conference and 18-2 overall.
"We found a way to win," Emery said. "You always worry about a letdown after a win like we had over Oswego the night before."
"But, the coaches have to put the emphasis on the players. They're the ones who have to get ready to play, go out there and get it done. The coaches can't go out and play the game."
Saturday night's game was tied 2-all after one and remained tied through two.
Plattsburgh State then came out and outshot the Red Dragons (9-9-2, 4-6-1) by a 25-5 margin in the third period.
But, nothing got by Cortland goaltender Mike Mistretta until 45 seconds were left in the stanza.
Clarke took a pass from behind the net between the slot and net, and sent a low shot that beat Mistretta for the game-winner.
"Once we started to get the puck in deep, we began to play well," Emery said.
"But, Cortland played a good system. They're improving all the time and are well coached."
Plattsburgh State was certainly not at its best over the first two periods.
Frank Rizzo gave Cortland the lead with just 2:04 gone in the contest following a Plattsburgh State turnover in its own end.
The Cardinals then tied it just 23 seconds later, at 2:27, when C.J. Tozzo scored from in close.
The Red Dragons regained the lead at the 4:42 mark. Greg Haney took a centering pass and deposited the puck into the net.
Back came Plattsburgh State, however, at 14:20. Clarke sent the puck in front and Eric Satim banged it in to pull the Cardinals even.
"We made a couple of defensive mistakes that led to them scoring two goals," Emery said.
"We had some players who played well tonight. But, we had some other players who didn't play well, especially on defense, and that brought the team down."
Plattsburgh State, because of the big difference in the third period, finished with a 40-22 advantage in shots on goal. Both goaltenders played well, with Bryan Hince making 20 stops and Mistretta, 41.
The Cardinals, however, were held without a goal in six power-play opportunities.
Plattsburgh State closes out its home regular season this coming weekend, with SUNYAC games against Buffalo State on Friday and Fredonia on Saturday. The Cardinals' final three games are on the road -- at Brockport, Geneseo and Potsdam.
In other SUNYAC action Saturday night, Oswego bounced back from its loss to the Cardinals with a decisive 6-0 win at Potsdam. Brockport and Buffalo State skated to a 2-all tie and Geneseo edged Fredonia, 4-3.
Plattsburgh State 3, Cortland State 2
Score by periods:
Cortland State 2 0 0 -- 2
Plattsburgh State 2 0 1 -- 3
First period- 1, Cort, Rizzo, 2:04. 2, PSU, Tozzo (Baccaro), 2:27. 3, Cort, Haney (Fallon, Maier), 4:42. 4, PSU, Satim (Clarke), 14:20. Penalties- Cole, Cort (hooking), 6:37. Friel, Cort (holding), 16:11. Bancroft, PSU (hitting from behind), 18:58.
Second period- no scoring. Penalties- Fallon, Cort (tripping), 8:35. Baccaro, PSU (roughing), 8:35. Catanzaro, Cort (roughing), 8:35. Porpora, Cort (hooking), 10:53. Fallon, Cort (interference), 11:46. Palmisano, Cort (interference), 19:13. Clarke, PSU (tripping), 19:43.
Third period- 5, PSU, Clarke (Satim, Farrow), 19:15. Penalties- Schiavi, PSU (boarding), 7:24. Heinz, Cort (holding), 8:18. Porpora, Cort (holding), 11:49. Rolls, PSU (roughing), 11:49. Fallon, Cort (hooking), 15:55. Corry, PSU (roughing), 17:49. McLaughlin, Cort (roughing), 17:49.
Shots on goal:
Cortland State 10 7 5 -- 22
Plattsburgh State 13 6 25 -- 44
Goaltenders (shots-saves): Mistretta, Cort, 44-41. Hince, PSU, 22-20.
Powerplays (goals-opportunities): Cortland State, 0-3. Plattsburgh State, 0-6.
Attendance: 1,141.
