PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.— Freshman goalie Lenny Perno (Rochester, N.Y./Richmond Generals) made 63 saves to lead the SUNY Potsdam men's hockey team (8-17-1) into overtime before falling 3-2 to Plattsburgh State (20-4-2) in the first round of the SUNYAC Playoffs. Sophomore forward Ryan Mahlmeister (Massapequa, N.Y./PAL Islanders) and senior forward Jack Loran (Massena, N.Y./New England Wolves) each scored for the Bears.
 
The Cardinals came out with good energy and pressed early. They finally broke through at 9:59 on a goal from Bennett Stockdale. Plattsburgh continued to attack after the goal, but Perno and the Bears hung on. At 15:15, the Cardinals turned over the puck to sophomore assistant captain Mason Hoehn (Highlands Ranch, Colo../Richmond Generals). Hoehn fed Malmeister who beat Plattsburgh goalie Jacob Hearne to tie the game. The Cardinals were for holding with about a minute and a half left in the period and were on the penalty kill as the first intermission started.
 
Plattsburgh killed the penalty and quickly went on its first power play. The Cardinals tested Perno six more times on the advantage, but the Bears killed the penalty. Penalty trouble continued for Potsdam. The Bears killed a slashing call minutes later and took an interference call immediately after. However, Plattsburgh took their own inference call just over a minute into its third power play to negate the third opportunity. The Cardinals regained the lead 10:54 with a 4-on-4 goal from Luk Jirousek. Despite more intense pressure from Plattsburgh, a boarding penalty gave Potsdam a chance to get even. With 10 seconds remaining, Loran solved Hearne from the left faceoff circle to make it 2-2. Sophomore defenseman Michael Campbell (Toronto, Ontario/Jersey Whalers) and freshman defenseman Eli Doughart-Wood (St. Louis, Mo./Navan Grads) had the assists. The score was tied after 40 minutes.
 
The teams had two power plays apiece in the third period. Potsdam killed Plattsburgh's second with just over a minute left in regulation. The Cardinals outshot the Bears 14-5 in the third. Perno stopped several final strong chances with under 20 seconds left and the contest headed to overtime.
 
Perno made 15 more saves in overtime, including five on Plattsburgh's final power play. At the 14:53 mark, Stockdale struck again, lifting the Cardinals to the semifinals.

Hearne finished with 17 saves for Plattsburgh. The Bears were 1-for-6 on the power play and the Cardinals finished 0-for-6.
 
The standout effort marks the close of Potsdam seniors Josh Bifolchi (Ottawa, Ontario/Mississauga Chargers), Tyler Lisieski (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Vermont Lumberjacks), Michael Olszewski (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Cobourg Cougars) and Loran's Bears careers.
 
Potsdam has now faced Plattsburgh 19 times in the postseason. This marks the first contest to be decided in overtime.