The No. 7-ranked Plattsburgh State men’s hockey team concluded its stay in Western New York with a four-point weekend Saturday.
The Cardinals (3-0-0, 3-0-0), down 3-0, scored six unanswered goals and held on to defeat No. 4 Geneseo at the Ira S. Wilson Ice Arena, 7-4.
Plattsburgh got off to a slow start, though, and faced a two-goal deficit after 20 minutes.
“Even after the first period, I thought we were playing really, really well,” Cardinals coach Bob Emery said. “The only thing we didn’t do well in the first period, we were very irresponsible in our own end. They capitalized.
“I just said to the guys after the first period, ‘Play the same way you’re playing, but just be more responsible in your own end.’”
Emery’s club responded.
Luke Baleshta, Matt Quilty, Kevin Emmerling and Michael Radisa scored four consecutive even-strength goals in the middle stanza.
Kyle Hall and Brandon O'Quinn added tallies inside the first two minutes and 25 seconds of the third period to make it six straight Plattsburgh scores.
“We came out flying in the second, and then finally found the back of the net,” Emery said. “I’ve always said, ‘The first goal’s the hardest one to score.’ After that first one, it kind of came in bunches.
“Really, really great effort by the players, stepping up and coming back down 3-0. It was a good effort for us, I think. The leadership in the locker room was real good.”
After Brady Rouleau recorded a 22-save shutout against The College at Brockport Friday, Emery elected to go with Spencer Finney between the pipes Saturday.
Finney, a former Colgate University product, registered 26 saves on 30 shots faced to grab his second win of the season.
“Well, he gave us a chance to win,” Emery said. “That’s all you ask from your goalies. You know, I think the guys are really confident with either him or Brady Rouleau right now in the net.
“I think we’re going to rotate them going forward.”
Quilty and Connor Toomey led the Cardinals with one goal and two assists for three points, while O'Quinn, Radisa, Popp and Emmerling each chipped in with two points apiece.
Thirteen Plattsburgh players recorded a point in the game.
“I just like the leadership and the perseverance and the guts our guys had,” Emery said. “The heart they had coming back. It’s easy, down 3-0, to fold the tent. They didn’t do that, and I’m proud of them. I hope they can enjoy this win and get back to work next week.”
The Cardinals finished 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Knights (2-2-0, 2-2-0) were 0-for-2.
Plattsburgh held the upper hand in shots, 39-30.
Up next, the Cardinals will return to the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena when they host Buffalo State and Fredonia Friday and Saturday.
“What I’m real happy about is we’re coming home 3-0 to the best fans in Division III,” Emery said. “The kids will, hopefully, give them something to cheer about Friday night in our home opener.”
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Plattsburgh State 7, Geneseo 4
Plattsburgh 0 4 3 — 7
Geneseo 2 1 1 — 4
First period- 1, G, Donnelly (Burns, Stahl), 5:52. 2, G, Ripple (Condon, Brickler), 6:31. Penalties: G, Anthoine (cross-checking), 2:10. G, Anthoine (tripping), 10:24. G, Burns (roughing), 14:14. PSU, Fox (tripping), 18:32.
Second period- 3, G, Brickler (Ripple, Caradonna), 5:55. 4, PSU, Baleshta (Fox, O’Quinn), 6:30. 5, PSU, Quilty (Gorman, Popp), 6:42. 6, PSU, Emmerling (Cassidy, Radisa), 10:15. 7, Radisa (Emmerling, Botting), 16:58. Penalties: G, Caradonna (hooking), 18:34.
Third period- 8, PSU, Hall (Constantine, Toomey), 0:29. 9, PSU, O’Quinn (Toomey, Quilty), 17:35. 10, G, Stanimir, 18:18. 11, PSU, Toomey (Quilty, Popp), 18:39. Penalties: PSU, Toomey (elbowing), 10:53. PSU, Toomey (facemasking, game misconduct), 19:58. G, Stanimir (roughint), 19:58.
Shots on goal:
Plattsburgh 14 15 10 — 39
Geneseo 7 14 9 — 30
Goaltenders (shots-saves): Finney, PSU, 30-26. Horrigan, G, 38-32.
Power plays (goals-opportunities): Plattsburgh 1-4, Geneseo 0-2.
Attendance: 1,650.