By JOHN CORYER
PLATTSBURGH — Morrisville brings a 1-9-1 State University of New York Athletic Conference and a 5-14-1 overall record into tonight's 7 p.m. game against Plattsburgh State at the Stafford Ice Arena.
What should concern the Cardinals, however, is that the Mustangs have played a 5-all overtime tie at Oswego this season and recently skated to a 7-5 win at Geneseo.
In addition, Morrisville, which dropped an 8-4 decision at Potsdam State on Friday night, has a 1-7 home record, but is 4-7-1 on the road.
"We have to focus on the fact that anyone can beat anyone," said Plattsburgh State head coach Bob Emery. "Morrisville just beat Geneseo and they tied Oswego. They're not coming in here to throw in the towel.
"It's going to be easy for them to get up and play us — they have nothing to lose and everything to gain. We can't afford a hiccup this time of the season within the conference — and we need to take care of business."
Junior forward Andrew Alarie (9-8-17), sophomore forward Rob Sgarbossa (3-12-15) and senior forward Keith Williams (7-7-14) are the leading scorers for the Mustangs, while senior forward Dana Calderone is tops in goals with 10.
Sophomore Caylin Relkoff (5-10-1, 4.32 gaa) has done the majority of the goaltending.
"We have to show mental toughness and play with emotion," Emery said. "We have to treat this game like it's two points in the standings."
The Cardinals (15-1-2, 9-0-1), who skated to an 8-3 win at Morrisville on Nov. 8, is coming off a strong effort in Tuesday's 4-1 home victory over Middlebury College where Joey Wilson led the way for Plattsburgh State with two goals.
"We've played well lately, but we have to forget about those games and not mess up," Emery said. "Because, if we don't get the job done against Morrisville, it's 10 times worse.
"And, even though the Middlebury win was a big one for us, the Morrisville game is much more important for us because it's a conference game."
Forward Shawn Dennis and defenseman Ward Smith are expected to miss the weekend with injuries.
After tonight's game, the Cardinals have a rare Monday game at home when they entertain Williams College in a non-conference contest.
