Press-Republican

Sports

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
March 1, 2009

Saranac, Plattsburgh High clash in championship game.

By NICK ST. DENIS

LAKE PLACID — A competitive Champlain Valley Athletic Conference boys' hockey season is down to its final leg, as Plattsburgh High School and Saranac are slated for the Section VII Divison II championship game at Lake Placid's '32 Olympic Rink tonight at 7 p.m.

Plattsburgh, which enters the game after winning at home against Beekmantown Tuesday, got to the final behind consistent end-of-the-season play that set the Hornets up for a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Hornets head coach Jamie Reidy said his team's season was a series of "building blocks."

"Right from the start, we approached this from scratch and to build as we go," he said. "We're playing well right now, and it's not a surprise to me. We've put the work in to get to where we are."

Saranac, which took a different route in the playoffs, won two post-season road games in overtime against Saranac Lake and Northeastern Clinton to secure its spot in the championship game.

"We're playing some of our best hockey right now, so the timing is right," Saranac head coach Trevor Cameron.

In the teams' regular season meetings, Saranac won a 2-1 game on the road before tying Plattsburgh, 3-3, later in the year.

"The first time we played them was one of the first games of the season," Reidy said. "So I'm sure both teams have developed into their own style."

The Olympic-size rink poses a different aspect to the game than what Saranac and Plattsburgh are typically used to. Both play on standard-sized rinks, which are over 10 feet narrower in width, and shorter in length.

Bigger ice favors longer passes and allows players more room to skate outside with the puck. However, more room can also add fatigue to set in quicker.

As of late, the Hornets have been especially successful in playing three full periods — a result of consistently cycling three lines deep to prevent players from wearing down.

We're prepared for the big ice surface," Reidy said. "We're not going to change our style, which is a dump-and-chase game. We play a team game — no individuals."

Plattsburgh will need to be wary of the Chiefs' special teams in the championship game. Kalob Drollette netted a hat trick Tuesday night, including two short-handed scores.

"We definitely want to be on the plus-side on special teams," Cameron said. "I think our special teams are definitely strong. Our penalty killing has been great lately, and we been working on the powerplay."

He added that the game will simply come down to who works harder.

"The kids are really excited to play tomorrow night," he said. "It should be an exciting atmosphere."

Note: The CVAC all-star hockey team will be announced immediately following the game.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local Sports