7th-ranked Geneseo presents challenge to surging Plattsburgh
The Plattsburgh State men's hockey team opened its 2010-11 season on the road October 29 with a disappointing 7-3 loss at Geneseo.
That started a bad stretch for the Cardinals, who went 2-4 in their first six State University of New York Athletic Conference games.
Plattsburgh State (11-4-1, 4-4-0), however, has rebounded since then to go 9-0-1 in its last 10 games, featuring some key wins over ranked non-conference foes.
But, now, the 13th-ranked Cardinals need to do something about their current fifth-place standing in the conference and it begins tonight with an opponent Plattsburgh State should have no problem getting ready for.
Geneseo (11-4-2, 5-2-1), currently ranked seventh in the country in Division III, is in town for a 7 p.m. showdown at the Stafford Ice Arena, with Plattsburgh State hoping for some revenge.
"We're back in league play and we're behind the eight-ball, no doubt about it," said Plattsburgh State head coach Bob Emery. "Geneseo is ahead of us in the standings and they have already beaten us once.
"But, we have an opportunity to beat the seventh-ranked team in the country. We had to take advantage of the opportunity. They are a good team and have proved that all year. We have to take care of the puck and play with emotion.
"You would think payback would be on our players' minds. They should know how they felt after our first game with Geneseo and be ready to play this time. But, you never know in today's world."
The Knights, who are tied with Morrisville for second place in the SUNYAC standings, are coming off a 4-3 non-conference home loss to Elmira this past Saturday.
Geneseo has eight players with 10 points or more, led by freshman Zachary Vit (9-14-23), freshman Rich Manley (9-9-18) and junior Jonathan Redick (4-14-18).
The Knights have used two goaltenders for the most part — junior Cory Gershon (4-3-1, 2.23 gaa) and sophomore Adrian Rubeniuk (6-1-1, 2.29 gaa). Gershon made 35 saves in the first meeting with the Cardinals.
"Geneseo is a heck of a team and they are well coached," said Emery. "It should be a great game."
In the first meeting between the two, Plattsburgh State held a 38-26 shot advantage. But, it meant nothing.
The Knights jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first period, held a 4-1 edge after two and tallied the first two goals of the third for a commanding 6-1 advantage.
The Cardinals come into the weekend on a roll, but Emery downplays it.
"That's all well, but you're only as good as your last game — not games," he said. "We have to take care of business — this game has the upmost importance.
"Geneseo is coming in here feeling good about themselves. They have been ranked in the top 10 all season and are playing with confidence."
The Cardinals return to the ice Saturday night at 7 p.m. when they host Brockport.
