POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam men's hockey team (8-13-4, 6-7-1 SUNYAC) battled evenly with Plattsburgh State (14-10-1, 8-6) through two periods, but the Cardinals scored twice in the third for a 4-1 win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Bears took a penalty early in the contest and the Cardinals made the most of the power play at 3:56 of the first period. Sophomore forward Vlad Pschenichnikov (Moscow, Russia/Utica University) scored with assists from graduate student Kevin Weaver-Vitale (Toronto, Ontario/Markham Royals) and freshman forward Patrick Cole (Lancaster, N.Y./Buffalo Jr. Sabres).
- Junior forward Jeremy Quesnel (Alexandria, Ontario/Hawkesbury Hawks) buried a pass in the slot from junior forward Max Klanow (Holly, Mich./Hawkesbury Hawks) at 12:34 of the first to tie the game. Junior assistant captain Michael Campbell (Toronto, Ontario/Jersey Whalers) had the other assist.
- Plattsburgh regained the lead at 4:06 of the second period as freshman forward Tyler Ramm (Westborough, Mass./Northeast Generals) scored in the slot on a feed from junior forward Jake Sacratini (Montreal, Quebec/American International).
- Cole made it 3-1 at 1:37 of the third period. Sophomore defenseman Simon Singher (Beloeil, Quebec/Navan Grads) and freshman forward Blake Hall (Fort Erie, Ontario/Fort Erie Meteors) picked up the assists.
- The Bears pulled senior goalie John Werber (Skillman, N.J./Team Maryland) for an extra attacker with 2:52 remaining.
- With 1:32 on the clock, Pschenichnikov scored an empty-netter to seal the win. Senior forward Jake Lanyi (North Salem, N.Y./Connecticut Sr. Rangers) and Weaver-Vitale had the helpers.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Plattsburgh outshot the Bears 31-22.
- The Cardinals were 1-for-2 on the power play and Potsdam went 0-for-3.
- Werber finished with 27 saves.
- Senior goalie Jacob Hearne (Ennismore, Ontario/Toronto Sr. Canadians) stopped 21 shots for the win.
WHAT'S NEXT?
With the win the Cardinals clinch the No. 4 seed in the upcoming SUNYAC Playoffs. The Bears will be the No. 5 seed and head to Plattsburgh for a rematch on Wednesday.