Playoff hockey continues for another weekend after the Lakers defeated Morrisville State 1-0 this week. The team will travel to Plattsburgh next to take on the No. 1 ranked Plattsburgh State Cardinals. The Cardinals have been dominating opponents throughout the entire season, especially against teams in the NEWHL, going undefeated against conference opponents with a record of 18-0. 

Plattsburgh State has a dominant history against Oswego State as it has a record of 37-1-1 since 2007. The last time the Lakers defeated the Cardinals was in 2016 by a score of 3-2. When discussing that game, head coach Diane Dillon reminisced over the historic win.

“It was extremely exciting,” Dillon said. “We took advantage of opportunities. Once we took the lead we played a tough game the rest of the way. It was a monumental win for us. I remember the entire bench being very excited.”

Fast forward to this weekend’s game, associate head coach Mark Digby described Plattsburgh State as a team and how well its organization has led to the all-around success.

“They’re very fast, skilled, organized,” Digby said. “They have the record they have and the playoff success they have for a reason. It’s just a good overall hockey team.”

Due to the ice melting in the Marano Campus Center Ice Arena, last week the Lakers had to wait until Tuesday night to play their NEWHL Semifinal game, while Plattsburgh State was able to face SUNY Cortland as regularly scheduled last Saturday. Oswego State will have a shorter week of practice and preparation, compared to the week the Cardinals have had to prepare. Despite this, senior captain Kate Randazzo does not see this as a disadvantage, since the team has had short practice weeks all season.

“We’ve been playing Wednesdays and Tuesdays while having two to three practices before each game,” Randazzo said. “I don’t know how that affects [Plattsburgh], but for us it’s pretty normal.”

Oswego State has shown improvement as a team from its first game against Plattsburgh State, that was a 7-1 loss, to its last matchup in January where it lost by a score of 3-1.

Digby credits the way the team has become so close as a major factor in the team’s improvement this season.

“Over the course of the season, I think each player has really earned a lot of confidence from each of their teammates,” Digby said. “They have earned a lot of trust from each other. I think over the course of a season that can happen and you can have success or it doesn’t happen, and you don’t end up playing in this final game.”

One player that will play a key role in defeating Plattsburgh State this weekend is starting goaltender Rachael Farmer, who has not lost a game as the team’s starter since Jan. 31 against Morrisville State. Senior Madison Byrne believes that Farmer’s strong play in net is a confidence booster for the entire team.

“When she is playing how she has been playing, it gives us more confidence,” Byrne said. “As a team, we know that we can do more when she is playing as good as she is.”

Digby agreed that strong goaltending will play a key part to defeating Plattsburgh State, but also added that avoiding The Cardinals’ power play is critical.

“We’re going to have to be good in our own end, and when we get chances to score, we’re going to have to be opportunistic,” Digby said. “When you play a team that’s as good as them, you don’t get a ton of looks at the net, so you have to take advantage of them. Also, you’ve got to stay disciplined and make sure you’re not putting yourself in the penalty box too much against them cause their power play is very good.”

Photo by Nicole Hube | The Oswegonian