PLATTSBURGH — The Plattsburgh State men's hockey team has had to overcome its share of adversity this season.
The Cardinals, with several new players in the lineup, have played a demanding road schedule and are still having trouble finding the back of the net against quality competition.
And, to make matters more difficult, veteran players are squeezing their sticks too tight in an effort to help carry the scoring load.
Still, Plattsburgh State has only lost twice in 16 games.
"If you would have told me that we would have only two losses at this point of the season, with the schedule we've played, I would have told you that there was no way," said Plattsburgh State head coach Bob Emery.
"We have four ties on our record, but they could just as easily be four wins. If we win those games, we don't have the frustration we have now. You have to find a way to win those types of games.
"We haven't been outplayed or dominated in any games, except for maybe one. And, that's including our road schedule and the quality of teams we've played."
The effort has been there.
"My job is to get the most out of the players," Emery said. "We have come pretty close to that. But, I can't control the goal scoring. We do our best to loosen up the players so they don't squeeze their sticks too tight. There's no question we're having problems scoring goals against the more elite teams.
"The effort, however, has been there. We have done a good job keeping the puck out of our net and we've played good team defense, especially with the younger players we have back there. We can't get too complacent, however."
The Cardinals (10-2-4, 6-1-1) jump back into State University of New York Athletic Conference play this weekend — at Geneseo tonight at 7 p.m. and at Brockport on Saturday at 7 p.m.
"Our primary goal is to win the SUNYAC," Emery said. "We're behind the 8-ball right now in the conference.
"But, it also helps to win our non-league games because that helps get an at-large bid into the NCAA (Division III) Tournament."
The Cardinals, this weekend, will be without the services of leading scorer Eric Satim (10-13-23), who was injured in Monday night's 1-all overtime tie at Williams College.
"He is definitely out this weekend," Emery said. "After that, we'll see how it goes."
Geneseo is 3-5 in the conference and 7-9-1 overall.
The Knights are also getting balanced scoring, with senior forward Dan Brown (10-6-16) and sophomore forward David Arduin (6-10-16) leading the way. Freshman Adrian Rubeniuk (5-6, 2.72 gaa) has been in net much of the time.
Plattsburgh State was a 4-2 winner at home over Geneseo early in the regular season.
Brockport, which has won six of its last nine games, is 3-5 in the SUNYAC and 8-8 overall.
Sophomore forwards James Cody (7-9-16) and Ian Finnerty (7-9-16) lead a balanced scoring attack. Senior Todd Sheridan (7-7, 3.27 gaa) has done the vast majority of the goaltending for the Golden Eagles.
Brockport dropped a 4-1 decision to the Cardinals early in the season at the Stafford Ice Arena.
Sports
Cardinals battling adversity
Cardinals return to SUNYAC play minus leading scorer
- Local Sports
-
-
Votraw's three gives Plattsburgh Div. I title
Patriots give Douglass 100th win; Peru, Ticonderoga grab wins in CVAC boys' basketball.
-
Schroon Lake takes control of MVAC's North Division
Warriors, Indians, Orange, Blue Bombers capture victories in MVAC boys' basketball
-
Beekmantown back in hockey finals
Eagles defeat Alexandria Bay in the Upstate Girls' Hockey League semifinals, will play Potsdam today for the title.
-
Brockport stuns Plattsburgh State
Cardinals give up two goals in third period to fall to Golden Eagles in men's college hockey.
-
Plattsburgh State clinches playoff berth
Cardinals defeat Potsdam for first road conference win of the season in women's college basketball.
-
Cold shooting second half dooms Cardinals
Plattsburgh State falls to Potsdam with opportunity to seal playoff berth in men's college basketball.
-
Plattsburgh State travels to Utica
Cardinals wrap up regular season schedule against Pioneers in women's college hockey.
-
Peru looks to defend Section VII title
Indians hold nine top seeds out of 15 weight classes in Section VII wrestling championships.
-
Frechette, Bradish combine for five goals in Eagles' win
Beekmantown defeats Burnt Hills/Ballston Spa in boy's hockey.
-
Yellowjackets ruin Bulldogs' perfect season
Madrid-Waddington, Chateaugay finish tied for NAC boys' basketball lead.
-
Area sports: February 11, 2012
A schedule of sports events this weekend involving area teams and venues.
- February 10, 2012
-
Cadieux earning time in net
The sophomore newcomer has been Plattsburgh State's main goalie in the second half of the season.
-
Cards can clinch playoff spot tonight
The Plattsburgh State men's basketball team visits Potsdam.
-
Payne chasing Cards' single-season points record
The Plattsburgh State women's basketball star needs 22 points to equal the school record.
-
Beekmantown girls hosting final four
The Eagles will meet Alexandria Bay in an Upstate Girls' Hockey League semifinal game today at the Plattsburgh State Field House.
-
Peru pulls away from NCCS in fourth
Saranac, Beekmantown, AuSable Valley and Moriah also won CVAC girls' basketball games.
-
Marcotte leads Willsboro past Chazy
Elizabethtown-Lewis, Minerva/Newcomb, Crown Point and Indian Lake/Long Lake also won in MVAC girls' basketball.
-
Keegan Ryan nets 38 to power Beekmantown
The Eagles defeated Saranac Lake in overtime in CVAC boys' basketball.
-
Chateaugay girls claim East Division
Tupper Lake also picks up a victory in Northern Athletic Conference basketball.
-
Sports Shorts: February 10, 2012
Rec department to offer programs; Colby Classic Fishing Derby March 3, 4; Visconti grabs another rifle match win
-
Area Sports: February 10, 2012
A schedule of sports events this weekend involving area teams and venues.
- February 9, 2012
-
Cadets sink Cards in overtime
Plattsburgh State falls to No. 2 Norwich in a high-scoring contest in women's college hockey.
-
Womens' hockey photos: PSU vs. Norwich (2/8/12)
-
Plattsburgh grabs share of Div. I title in win
Hornets, Sentinels, Eagles. Chiefs, Vikings grab wins in CVAC boys' basketball.
-
Votraw's three gives Plattsburgh Div. I title






