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February 26, 2009

PHS back in hockey final

By NICK ST. DENIS

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.

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