Plattsburgh eliminated the Oswego State hockey team from the SUNY Athletic Conference playoffs for the second straight year as the Cardinals won 3-1 on Saturday, Feb. 26, at Romney Field House.
The top-seeded Lakers (18-6-3) swept the regular season series against the Cardinals, but fourth-seeded Plattsburgh (18-11) won twice on Oswego State's home ice in the post season to advance to the conference finals next weekend at Geneseo.
Anthony Leccese (Rochester) scored the eventual game-winner at the 10:17 mark of the second period with an unassisted goal.
In the third, Oswego State pressed for the equalizer holding a10-4 edge in shots, but it was the Cardinals who scored as Ryan Busby (Georgetown, ONT) popped in his 15th of the season with 3:20 remaining in the game.
Oswego State pulled goalie
Ryan Scott (Williamsville), who finished with 25 saves, for the final 2:28 of the game, but were unable to score.
Craig Neilson (Markham, ONT) earned his seventh straight win making 27 saves.
Oswego State got off to a fast start as
C.J. Thompson (Picton, ONT) scored his second goal of the series just 2:12 into the contest.
Scott Irwin (Mississauga, ONT) and
John Duco (Toronto, ONT) each earned assists on the goal.
Plattsburgh got the goal back on the power play as Justin Rafferty (Clifton Park) scored at the 13:50 mark.
The Lakers will now have to wait two weeks to see if they will receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Championships. That field will be announced on Sunday, March 6.
Game summary
Teams 1st 2nd 3rd F
Plattsburgh (18-11) 1 1 1 3
#6 Oswego State (18-6-3) 1 0 0 1
Scoring summary
Plattsburgh: Ryan Busby 1-0; Anthony Leccese 1-1; Justin Rafferty 1-0; David Friel 0-1; Bryan North 0-1; Brett Gilmour 0-1.
Saves
Plattsburgh: Craig Neilson - 27
Power Plays: Oswego State 0-for-4; Plattsburgh 1-for-3
