Plattsburgh, NY– In a magical SUNYAC Semifinal contest the Lakers fell for the third time this season in overtime to the Plattsburgh State Cardinals. The game was back and fourth all night long and before anyone knew it, it was over. The Cardinals will now move on to face the SUNY Geneseo Ice Knights.

This historic rivalry was on full display tonight. Oswego State was getting hot at the right time yet they couldn’t slay the dragon that is Plattsburgh State.

“We beat a hell of a hockey team,” Plattsburgh head coach Bob Emery said. “They had some ups and downs during the year, but this time of year I bet they could beat anybody.”

The first period showed a whole lot of nothing. Both teams put up a combined 14 shots, an average total, but neither team really got any prime scoring chances. Matt Galati got whistled for offside when he had a chance for an odd man break, Nick Belger had a chance in front and couldn’t hit the net, Chris Waterstreet laid a couple hits in the first period. Overall it seemed like a warmup.

“I think with any playoff game, especially one as intense as this one there is that feeling out process for both teams,” Chris Raguseo said. “You kind of get a sense of what you got on that night and what the other teams got.”

The second period was one for the books. JJ Hart and Alex D’Oliveira couldn’t defend a 2-on-2 and Jesse Neher and Ross Sloan took advantage of it. Neher buried a shot from the far side circle and beat Zawadzki to open the scoring.

Cameron Berry finally found the back of the net but not in a pretty way. The freshman jammed away and was able get one past Finney. The crowd certainly disagreed, but the goal counted and the Lakers were back tied with the Cardinals.

“It’s been a long time coming,” coach Gosek said. “He’s had many opportunities this year and for whatever reason as a rookie pucks just didn’t fall for him. So, it was nice to see him put one in in an important game like this.”

“Our guys said [Spencer Finney] had it tied up,” Emery said. “Haven’t watched the video, but I don’t think he had it tied up at all.”

The story-book ending that everyone in Lakerland wanted could have came to fruition after the Lakers pulled ahead on the powerplay late in the second period.

The powerplays would trade goals when the Cardinal man advantage converted in the third. The Plattsburgh goal was the prettier of the two with their terrific passing and this had the game tied at 7:17 of the final frame.

In the third period Dillon Fox showed off his sweet hands as he made Sean Federow look silly to give the Cardinals the lead. Federow fell down and Fox made no mistake about it and beat Zawadzki.

Federow was showing his frustration on the bench afterwards.

“Our mentality when anyone makes a mistake is to pick them up,” Matt Zawadzki said. “We expect nothing less the next shift from those guys.”

The junior dug deep and just a few minutes later he made the best play any player could make without getting an assist. He brought the puck down the wing and waited, and waited, and waited for the play to develop. He found Andrew Barton in the slot, who waited some more, drew Finney out of position then put one on net. The rebound was put home by none other, than the Real Deal Kenny Neil.

“Federow took the initiative,” Zawadzki said. “[He] understood that, you know what, man up and he did it. He had a great shift and stepped up for us when we needed it. That’s what it’s going to take. It’s going to take guys like that stepping up when mistakes are made.”

What way would a Plattsburgh State and Oswego State hockey game end other than in overtime? Both teams took a beating in the first sixty minutes and still managed to put on a show. Back and fourth hockey at both ends with chances galore.

Then, without warning, the Lakers were eliminated from postseason play.

A puck squirted out to Michael Radisa above the circles.

Mitch Herlihey made the right play and tried to clear the puck with a diving effort, but looking back one would want him not sell out like that.

Radisa’s long shot fluttered through the air and dipped past Zawadzki’s glove, crushing every Laker fan out there.

“I was at the end of a shift to be honest,” Radisa said. “I saw it come out and I put my head down and tried to hit it as hard as I can and get off the ice. It actually ended up going over top of him and as I was on the ice I heard it go off the post and everyone erupted.”

“[Radisa] took a good shot, caught a stick in front and I heard the post, saw them go into the corner and I knew it was it,” Zawadzki said.

This marks the the first time in four years that Lakers didn’t make the SUNYAC Final.

My Three Stars

3- Cameron Berry

The freshman played one of his better games of the season and finally got rewarded. He put up four shots, was physical and was also responsible in his own end. His biggest hit came late in the third when he lit up Ayrton Valente. It’s no secret why Gosek loves this kid.

2- Dillon Fox

Fox scored the prettiest goal of the game. One of his six shots ended up in the back of the net after he dangled Sean Federow. Fox was gritty tonight and was all over the ice. A real good showing from the senior to make sure this wasn’t his last game.

1- Michael Radisa

Pretty simple why he won this one, he scored the game winner. Playing without Kevin Emmerling put the Cardinals in a tough spot, but they still got it done tonight.

Best Music Selection

The Cardinal locker room likes to really rage after a victory. They were bumping Molly Cyrus by Stitches after the win, in case you were wondering.

I guess it’s good music?

Best Laugh

Zawadzki was able to laugh a little after I asked him about what happened on that last goal.

“Oh man if I knew I would’ve stopped it.”

Best Self-Realization

Apparently the Lakers had a “self-realization” the last couple of weeks and that helped them turn on the jets. Whatever happened, it worked. They were scoring, tight on defense and were shades of the team they were the last three or four years. It’s too bad it all had to end tonight.

Best Stat

The Difference

The Cardinals got one more bounce to go their way. Yes, the Lakers looked all but eliminated after the Dillan Fox goal, but they stayed afloat. Then just about six minutes later they got a bounce to go their way. All year it seemed that pucks just wouldn’t fall, they weren’t getting bounces and tonight the difference was just one bounce, one stick blade, one post, just a few inches. It all came full circle tonight.

The Junior Class

Oswego State will graduate 13 seniors next season. With a small new recruiting class, the rookies this year will be more seasoned and the the team will be hungry to correct this down year. All signs are pointing positively for next season.

At Large?

Nope sorry. More than a long shot. Gosek knows that as well.

“[To] end our season in the SUNYACs instead of the NCAAs isn’t our standard.”

Pride

Real good stuff from the captain here. The Goose was loose today. He was blocking shots, breaking the puck out and was the shutdown defenseman the Lakers need.

“What you saw in the last few games was Oswego State, and the type of hockey that we expect from ourselves. Battling every shift, going into corners hard, the last couple games here we really turned it on as a team.”

Hold the Phone

One of everyone’s worst fears was nearly realized today. Zawadzki got hit on a drive to the net and was down on the ice for a little bit. The first thought in everyone’s mind was that Taylor Joseph, the forward dressed as a goalie, would have to come in.

The kid who isn’t really a goalie?

No way.

It can’t happen.

Luckily it didn’t.

The Curse of Mighty Taco

After the big weekend at Buffalo State where both hockey teams lost, one has to wonder if the Bengals giving out free Moe’s Southwest Grill over the Buffalo based chain, that is Mighty Taco played a role. Matt Moran was the first to bring it up. 

The Geneseo men’s team and the Oswego State women’s team won big and will be moving on in their respective conference playoffs.

Until next season…