The Rivalry Continues: Oswego to take on Plattsburgh in SUNYAC Championship

Can it get any better than this for Division III hockey fans?

One of the most storied rivalries in college hockey continues next weekend as the Oswego State Great Lakers will take on the Plattsburgh Cardinals in the SUNY Atheltic Conference Championship Game. Oswego, the defending NCAA Champions, advanced by defeating Fredonia 4-1 at home Saturday night, while Plattsburgh was impressive in a 6-0 victory over Potsdam.

The Lakers played a very solid game, outshooting the Blue Devils 44-20. Throughout most of the first period, both teams looked evenly matched, but the Lakers soon took over. A goal by Peter Magana at 18:19 broke the scoreless tie and Brendan McLaughlin followed just over a minute later with a goal of his own, making it 2-0 heading into the first intermisison. After a scoreless second period, the Lakers added a another goal early in the third on Tony Dinunzio's eighth netter of the season. Fredonia's Bryan Goudy gave the Blue Devils some life with a goal less than a minute later, but Oswego was determined in not letting this one slip away. C.J. Thompson's 10th goal of the season at 9:58 gave the Lakers some more breathing room and Fredonia couldn't make a late comeback. The packed crowd at the Campus Center Ice Arena went home happy and now will look forward to Championship Saturday.

Avenging a loss to Potsdam earlier in the season, Plattsburgh showed no mercy,opening up a 3-0 lead in the first period. Plattsburgh is ranked 2nd in the country with a record of 22-4-0 while the Lakers stand 5th in the polls with an overall record of 18-5-2. The rivals have played twice this season, with the Cardinals winning two tightly contested games. On Nov. 2, Plattsburgh went on the road and beat the defending NCAA champions 4-2 in front of a frenzied Oswego crowd. An overtime thriller on Jan. 25 took place in Plattsburgh with the Cardinals squeaking out a 3-2 win.

Some high quality hockey will be played next weekend in northern New York. Anybody who is in the area should make the drive to Plattsburgh to see the next chapter of this heated and intense rivalry.

Shawn Marosek