POTSDAM, N.Y.—Fourth-ranked Plattsburgh State (15-3-2, 8-2-1 SUNYAC) rallied and then held off the SUNY Potsdam men's hockey team (6-13-1, 3-8) 4-2 on Saturday night. Freshman forward Will O'Brien (Jefferson Hills, Pa./HC Rhode Island) and sophomore assistant captain Mason Hoehn (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Richmond Generals) each scored for the Bears, while
freshman goalie Lenny Perno (Rochester, N.Y./Richmond Generals) made 42 saves.
 
The Bears struck early. O'Brien picked off a pass in the neutral zone at 3:54. He went in all alone and deked Cardinals junior goalie Jacob Hearne (Ennismore, Ontario/Toronto Jr. Canadiens) for a 1-0 lead. Penalty trouble and the skill of Plattsburgh put Potsdam on the defensive the rest of the period. Perno was sharp stopping all 20 shots to preserve the lead after one.
 
The second period featured much more level play, but the Cardinals scored twice to take the lead. Sophomore forward Ryan Bonfield (Kemptville, Ontario/Brockville Braves) tied the score just 2:20 into the period. After both teams exchanged chances. Sophomore forward Joshua Belgrave (Burlington, Ontario/Burlington Cougars) put Plattsburgh up 2-1 at 17:26. Perno had another 10 stops in the middle 20 minutes and Hearne turned aside all nine chances that came his way.
 
The Bears tied the score 7:53 into the third period. Hoehn poked the puck away from the Cardinals in the defensive zone. Senior forward Jack Loran (Massena, N.Y./New England Wolves) picked up the puck, skated it into the neutral zone and gave it back to Hoehn. Hoehn then drove to the net and beat Hearne. With about 8:30 to go, Belgrave nearly got his second of the game. Picking up the puck in the neutral zone he went in all alone, only to be stonewalled by Perno. He then stopped senior forward Paul Bryer (Clarkston, Mich./Islanders Hockey Club) from jamming home the rebound. Plattsburgh finally broke then stalemate at 17:18 on a shot from junior forward Luk Jirousek (Whitehorse, Yukon/Alberni Valley Bulldogs) that beat a screened Perno. Plattsburgh took a tripping penalty with 1:18 remaining. Potsdam called timeout and pulled Perno for an extra attacker. The Cardinals won the ensuing faceoff and Belgrave fired the puck the length of the ice for an empty-net goal.
 
Hearne finished with 20 saves. Plattsburgh was 0-for-4 on the power play and the Bears were 0-for-2.
 
Potsdam is back on the road next Friday when they head to Oswego State for a 7 p.m. contest.