Cardinal Points

Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Kelli Catana The men's hockey team celebrates their PrimeLink Great Northern Shootout Championship title after defeating Norwich 5-3 on Nov. 24 at the Stafford Ice Arena in the Fieldhouse.

It wasn't easy for the Plattsburgh State men's hockey team, but a hard-fought effort last weekend resulted in the Cards' second PrimeLink Great Northern Shootout championship.

It took more than three periods last Friday for PSUC to come to a decision with St. John's, but an overtime goal put the Cards in the championship game against Norwich. Saturday the Cards overcame 23 penalty minutes in a 5-3 winning effort to beat the defending tournament champions, improving PSUC's record to 9-1.

The Cards continue SUNYAC play at home tonight against Brockport, with Geneseo coming to town tomorrow.

PSUC looks to take advantage of tonight's match-up against the 2-6-1 Golden Eagles.

"We've got to get blue-collar goals," Head Coach Bob Emery said. "That's got to be the focus of our team. That's what we did a lot of (last) week. One thing we cannot forget is that we are a blue-collar team."

Brockport is coming off a 0-2 weekend, including a loss to Geneseo, the Cards' opponent tomorrow night. Geneseo is 4-5-0 and faces Potsdam tonight on the road.

"I think Brockport is probably the most improved team in the SUNYAC this year," Emery said. "They've got a good goalie and have been playing everyone tough."

Emery said both teams will be looking to play low-scoring games.

"The only way to counteract a team like Brockport or Geneseo is to play good solid team defense," Emery added. "Like every weekend, you've got to have good goaltending."

Good goaltending has been a commodity in the Cardinals recent success. Freshman goaltender Bryan Hince recorded his seventh win of the season last weekend, and holds a .925 save percentage.

Hince kept Norwich out of the net in the third period last Saturday to help his team ensure the win in the championship game.

"We did a good job tonight playing Cardinal Hockey," Emery said after the game against Norwich.

The Cards carried a one-goal lead going into the first intermission Saturday, despite a surplus of penalties - including a five-minute major and misconduct on sophomore Joey Wilson after a hit-from-behind call.

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