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February 13, 2009

Cardinals face off against Bears

Troublesome Bears visit with stakes high

By JOHN CORYER

PLATTSBURGH — The Plattsburgh State men's hockey team should have no trouble being focused tonight.

The Cardinals close out their regular-season home schedule against rival Potsdam (7 p.m.) at the Stafford Ice Arena in State University of New York Athletic Conference play.

"There's a lot at stake," said Plattsburgh State head coach Bob Emery. "We have to win two of our next three games in order to accomplish our first goal of winning the SUNYAC regular season title (and clinching home ice throughout the tournament).

"It's the last regular season home game for our seniors and a chance to win our 20th game of the season. Potsdam is a blemish on our schedule and when the season is over, we want to look back and say we took care of business."

The top-ranked Cardinals (19-1-2 overall), have a 12-0-1 record in the conference, with the tie coming back on Nov. 22 in Potsdam.

Potsdam held a 4-1 lead until Plattsburgh State, which opened the season with six wins in a row, scored three goals in the final seven minutes of regulation to escape with a 4-all overtime deadlock.

"That was the first game where we had to make a comeback this season," said Emery.

The Bears, who are 7-10-5 overall and 4-5-4 in the SUNYAC, can put the puck in the net, having scored 94 goals thus far. Potsdam, however, has surrendered 89.

Potsdam has 10 players with 13 points or more, led by junior forward Connor Treacy (17-18-35), junior forward Luke Beck (2-24-26), sophomore forward Fraser Smith (14-9-23) and freshman forward Sy Nutkevich (7-15-22).

"Potsdam is a very offensive team," said Emery. "They have three really good forwards and also a good powerplay. We need to continue to stay out of the box. I've said all along the best way to kill a penalty is not to take one.

"We've been doing a good job keeping the puck out and playing our style of hockey. We're still a work in progress and need to focus on defense first. We have to be ready to play."

The Bears have used three goaltenders — freshman Trevor O'Neill (3-7-2, 4.18 gaa), sophomore Rick Miller (2-2-2, 3.57 gaa) and sophomore Travis Crickard (2-1-1, 3.37 gaa).

Last weekend, Potsdam skated to a 5-3 win over Geneseo on Friday before dropping an 8-6 decision to Brockport on Saturday.

Plattsburgh State, which recorded home wins over Brockport (4-2) and Geneseo (4-1) last weekend, closes out the regular season with road games at Oswego and Cortland next weekend.

Defenseman Ward Smith and forward Shawn Dennis are still out of the line-up with injuries.

"People need to step up when the opportunity arises," said Emery. "And, guys have been doing that. We have no excuses."

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