It is “WhiteOut Weekend” for men’s and women’s ice hockey this weekend with both teams taking on their archrival, the Plattsburgh State Cardinals.

Last season’s Whiteout games fell in February, near the end of the season for both teams. The men won their game in a tense 4-3 but fell to the Cardinals just a few weeks later 2-3. Last season, their winning percentile was .635 overall, with a conference percentile of .750. For Plattsburgh, those numbers were higher, with .786 overall and .781. As for this season, while it is still early for both teams, the Lakers won their first two preseason games against Kings College and Nazareth but fell to the no.1 ranked team in the country, Hobart.

As for their two regular season games, they won in a shootout against Elmira College and lost bitterly to the no. 2 ranked team in the country, Adrian. For these two games, their percentage is .167. Plattsburgh’s, however, is .500, having won two out of their three regular-season games so far. Based on the poor passing, slow shift changes and wide shots the men have been consistently struggling with, their chances of winning against the Cardinals look unfortunately low. However, with a little pep in their steps and more passing, shooting and skating drills during practice, they may have a shot at winning.

The women’s team, who played SUNY Canton back to back for last season’s Whiteout Weekend, won their Friday game 3-1, but lost their Saturday game 1-2. They played Plattsburgh three times last season, winning only once. Their overall percentile was .558, with a .694  for conference games. Plattsburgh’s numbers were much higher, with .804 and .889. So far, the Lakers are at 1.000 in both percentiles while the Cardinals are .500 overall and .000 for conference games. Plattsburgh won both their preseason games and their first regular but lost last week against Cortland.

Although it is still early on in the season, it is fair to say that the women’s team will have a much better matchup based on the numbers and overall ethic they have shown in their few games this season. If they keep up with their fiery offense and work on keeping their passes short and direct, there will be a good chance this game will be a fair fight.

Plattsburgh has shown our teams up and have had a good start to their season. Even with the support of students, family and local community, if the Lakers fail to lock in, they are headed toward what very well may be a disappointing defeat.

Photo by: Oswego Athletics