PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The second-seeded Oswego State men’s ice hockey team fell to No. 1 Plattsburgh 2-1 in the SUNYAC Championship title game on Saturday night in Strafford Ice Arena. With the loss, Oswego goes to 18-4-4 on the season while the Cardinals improve to 19-5-2.
After a scoreless first period, Plattsburgh was the first to put a mark on the scoreboard. With Mitchell Herlihey in the box for a boarding call, the Cardinals power-play unit scored on a shot from the blue-line to make it 1-0 with 14:37 remaining in the second.
Oswego then turned up the pressure, tying it up only 5:11 later. Stephen Johnson gained the zone, streaking down the middle of the ice. He then dumped it off to Krystian Yorke who ripped a shot at the Cardinal goaltender. Morgan Bonner then crept in from opposite side, finishing the rebound and evening the game at one goal apiece. The Cardinals would strike again though, right before the the period’s end. Two Lakers collided in Plattsburgh territory, giving an odd-man rush to the opposition. The Cardinals made no mistake as Connor Gorman scored on a cross-ice pass, regaining the lead with just 2:33 left in the second.
With the score 2-1 going into the final stanza, Oswego came out firing but were unable to find a way past the Plattsburgh goalie. Matt Galati ripped a slapper from just inside the offensive zone but it was gloved by Plattsburgh’s Brady Rouleau. Even as time winded down and with the goalie pulled, Oswego had chances but were unable to score, maintaining a 2-1 score in Plattsburgh’s favor.
Matt Zawadzki finished the game with 22 saves for the Lakers.
Men’s ice hockey will now wait until 10:30 a.m. on Monday for the NCAA selection show to see if it earns one of three available Pool-C bids to the national tournament. To watch the selection show, click on the following link: NCAA SELECTION SHOW.
