PHS back in hockey final

Sports

Related Photos

Michael Betts

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.

comments powered by Disqus

February 26, 2009

By NICK ST. DENIS The Press Republican Fri May 14, 2010, 07:11 PM EDT

PLATTSBURGH — The last time the Plattsburgh High boys' hockey team had a chance at a Section VII title was in 2003, when the Hornets defeated Beekmantown, 5-2, in the championship game.

Seven years later, they're back in the final game, thanks to a 5-2 victory over the Eagles in semifinal play Thursday.

"It's great for the team and the school to get back to where they are after where they've been," PHS head coach Jamie Reidy said. "It's a great feeling."

Despite a three-score advantage for PHS, the game was dead-even for over two periods. The teams entered the third period at 2-2, but the Hornets exploded into the lead with scores from Brett Burdo, CJ Worley and Pete Betrus in a span of three and a half minutes at the beginning of the stanza.

"They were hungry in the third — they had the jump in their legs, and we didn't," Beekmantown head coach Bill Bechard said. "The one goal (Burdo) gave them the momentum. They smelled blood from that point on, and we didn't stop the bleeding fast enough."

Up to that point, each team had its share of momentum swings.

Beekmantown's Jordan Barrier opened the scoring on a five-on-three power play midway through the first, taking the play back at an energetic Hornet team.

Beekmantown settled into the lead for the rest of the period and the start of the second, but PHS strung its first bunch of goals at the 7:15 and 8:05 mark, with scores from Kyle Maggy and Zach Clodgo.

Maggy skated directly to the net from the blue line, made a quick move and put a backhand shot behind Beekmantown's Brandon Foster.

Clodgo's score came on a slap shot, getting help from a good screen.

"They were around the net all night," Bechard said.

Shamus Foster cooled things back down for Beekmantown three minutes later, making a nice move around a defender in the slot and netting a wrist shot.

"In the first two periods, we moved the puck well. I think we had the better of the play at that point," Bechard said. "But in the third, they (PHS) played well defensively — I don't think we sat back at all."

Reidy said his team just went back to the basics in the third period, dumping and chasing once the puck was past the center line.

That method especially came in handy once the team got the big lead quickly.

"They just got pucks out and were able to ice it at the end," Bechard said. "Credit PHS, they played really well."

PHS will now wait to see who it faces Monday, depending on who wins the Saranac/Northeastern Clinton game tonight.

"Any of the teams in the playoffs could win it," Reidy said. "Fortunately, we're playing well right now."

As for the Eagles, Bechard said there are still obvious positives to take from the 2008-09 campaign.

"We had a great season, finishing at 19-7, which is the second most wins in school history," Bechard said. "We played very well against some good teams out of the section, but we just didn't play well enough in the CVAC."

—

Plattsburgh 5, Beekmantown 2

Beekmantown110—2

Plattsburgh023—5

First period- 1, B, Barrier (Buksa, Palmer), 7:26.

Second period- 2, P, Maggy (Merrill), 7:15. 3, P, Clodgo (Worley), 8:05. 4, B, Foster (Buksa, Palmer), 10:04.

Third period- 5, P, Burdo (Betrus), 1:31. 6, P, Worley (Latinville, Conroy), 3:42. 7, P, Betrus (Rocheleau), 4:57.

Shots: Plattsburgh 30, Beekmantown 19.

Saves: Foster, B; 25. Bechard, P; 17.