2008 Woodie Awards
Potsdam game still important for men's hockey despite SUNYAC clinch
Nick St. Denis
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: Sports
Originally published: 2/14/08 at 4:23 PM EST
Last update: 2/15/08 at 4:53 PM EST
Two wins last weekend put the Plattsburgh State men's hockey team in the driver's seat for the SUNYAC tournament. PSUC's road-wins over Brockport and Geneseo clinched the SUNYAC regular season title and home-ice advantage throughout the SUNYAC tournament for the 21-3-0 (14-1-0 SUNYAC) Cards.
The regular season title is the teams' first since 2004. Head Coach Bob Emery said that winning the regular season title is always the team's primary goal.
A disappointing Cardinal loss at home to the Fredonia Blue Devils two weeks ago gave rival Oswego a sniff at the top spot, but PSUC's two wins over the Lakers this season may have been the difference. With two points earned for each win in the conference, the Cardinals' three point lead puts a regular season title out of reach for Oswego, who only has one game remaining.
The Cards will hit the road tonight for the season finale against Potsdam.
Since the Cardinals have already clinched the top seed, the meeting against Potsdam won't have an impact on where they stand in the conference. However, Emery said that despite the irrelevance of the game in terms of the conference, it is still a very important match.
"The Potsdam game is considered like a non-league game right now," Emery said. "It is a huge game for us as far as the NCAA process goes."
The Bears (8-12-4, 5-7-3) are led by sophomore Connor Treacy. Treacy has recorded five goals and 11 assists this season. Potsdam locked up a playoff spot with a win over Geneseo last Friday, despite falling to Brockport the following evening.
The game may be more important to Potsdam, as they are just one point behind Buffalo State and Cortland. With a win and Buffalo State and Cortland losses, the Bears could move up to as high as the fourth seed.
The Cardinals, however, need to continue their momentum heading into the playoffs.
Emery said the attitude in the locker room is very positive and the players are just having fun playing the game.
The regular season title is the teams' first since 2004. Head Coach Bob Emery said that winning the regular season title is always the team's primary goal.
A disappointing Cardinal loss at home to the Fredonia Blue Devils two weeks ago gave rival Oswego a sniff at the top spot, but PSUC's two wins over the Lakers this season may have been the difference. With two points earned for each win in the conference, the Cardinals' three point lead puts a regular season title out of reach for Oswego, who only has one game remaining.
The Cards will hit the road tonight for the season finale against Potsdam.
Since the Cardinals have already clinched the top seed, the meeting against Potsdam won't have an impact on where they stand in the conference. However, Emery said that despite the irrelevance of the game in terms of the conference, it is still a very important match.
"The Potsdam game is considered like a non-league game right now," Emery said. "It is a huge game for us as far as the NCAA process goes."
The Bears (8-12-4, 5-7-3) are led by sophomore Connor Treacy. Treacy has recorded five goals and 11 assists this season. Potsdam locked up a playoff spot with a win over Geneseo last Friday, despite falling to Brockport the following evening.
The game may be more important to Potsdam, as they are just one point behind Buffalo State and Cortland. With a win and Buffalo State and Cortland losses, the Bears could move up to as high as the fourth seed.
The Cardinals, however, need to continue their momentum heading into the playoffs.
Emery said the attitude in the locker room is very positive and the players are just having fun playing the game.
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