OK, here's how this whol Cardinals-Lakers thing began (cue the wavy screen)....Way back in '80, Herb Hammond brought his overmatched Lakers in to our barn and spanked us thus winning the first SUNYAC title. The basic reason for the dislike for each other was because the majority of our players were french-speaking Quebecers and Herb was using kids from Ontario and Western NY>.
Over that summer, Hammond surprised everyone and bolted for the open Plattsburgh coaching position. Needless to say, our trips to Oswego turned in to ugly, bitter affairs with fans attacking us on the bench, in the hall and around the bus. At that time, both teams had players who still lead many offensive categories and reside in their respective Hall of Fame's (Lair, Flynn, Pratt, Kimura, D'Anjou, Strack, etc). Our comeback in the final game of 1981 propelled us to the 1st of many NCAA appearances (losing in the final to Lowell 5-4). The players changed out but the hard feelings remained thru the '80's. Laker fans began throwing bagels at our goalies after the first goal of the game while our fans used the lime green tennis balls (in tribute to the grotesque uniforms sported by the Lakers).
The game changed and so did the rivalry. Nowadays, the games are clean, fast hockey. It's a game that every player who ever suited up for either team gets up for more than any other. Its why you play college hockey. In recent years, I even found myself pulling for the Lakers if the Cards were eliminated!!
I hope that both teams are healthy and they have fun out there...a great rivalry that produces great games...