Plattsburgh wins their own tournament
Plattsburgh didn’t allow a trio of their former players showing up at Curry in the first round of the Cardinal Classic to bother them. The Cardinals rolled over the Colonels, 7-1, as Patrick Jobb got a hat trick along with an assist.
Jobb scored the first two goals of the game, late in the first and early in the second, to get the rout going. Kyle Kudroch (26 seconds after Jobb’s second goal), Nick Jensen, Kyle VanDermale, and Dylan Clarke scored before Curry finally got on the board. Jobb completed his hat trick and the scoring for the game late in the second. Josh Leis made 24 saves for the win.
Plattsburgh had a much tougher time the next night to win the championship, 2-1, over Neumann. Clarke gave the home team the lead midway through the first period. Neumann tied it on a power-play goal late in the second. Vick Schlueter scored the game-winner at 3:42 of the final period. Leis made 28 saves.
“Neumann is big and quick, and they forced us into a lot of turnovers,” Emery told the Press-Republican. “Especially in the second period. They were winning a lot of the 50-50 battles. I thought we played a great third period. We played smart, especially once we took the lead.”
Leis was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Schlueter and Jobb were named to the All Tournament team.
Oswego settles for third in their tourney
Oswego didn’t make it to the championship game of the PathFinder Bank Oswego Hockey Classic, losing to Hamilton, 5-1. New transfer from D-I Niagara University, Andrew Hare, got the start in net, but it didn’t turn out so well. He was pulled after letting in the fifth goal, 28 seconds after Hamilton scored their fourth goal. Ian Boots scored the lone Lakers’ goal to make it 3-1 at the time.
Oswego rebounded to defeat Wisc.-Stevens Point, 6-1. After a scoreless first period, Boots scored twice sandwiched around the lone Pointers goal. Then, Oswego put the game away with three goals in 55 seconds at the end of the second by Jon Whitelaw, Luke Moodie, and Chris Laganiere. Laganiere got his second of the night late in the third to finish the scoring. Dan Jones made 26 saves for the win.
Boots was the only Oswego player named to the All Tournament team.
Morrisville Splits
The Mustangs did exactly what I predicted in the St. Michael’s Tournament — lost the first game against Castleton, 9-2, then came back to beat the host, 4-2.
Morrisville scored the first (Alex Tillaart) and last goal (Tom Longland) in the loss. In the win, Morrisville fell behind 2-0 before a short-handed goal by Geoff Matzel late in the first started to turn the tide. Matzell scored again 47 seconds into the second and Tyler Swan gave them the lead on the power play midway through the game. Jonathan Cristini got the insurance goal at 7:45 of the third. Colin Breen got the win with 31 saves.
A few games early this week
There are a trio of nonconference games early this week which I did not mention in last week’s column. They all take place on Tuesday, and are all hosted by the SUNYAC participant.
I expect Oswego to overcome their two losses in the last three games and beat Skidmore. Technical difficulties at the Campus Center Arena have been resolved, and this game will take place as scheduled. Fans who bring used cell phones and chargers to the game will receive a complimentary ticket to the contest. Donated phones and chargers will be given to area victims of domestic abuse.
I see Brockport falling to Hobart.
In a big matchup, Plattsburgh hosts Norwich. Plattsburgh already defeated Norwich earlier in the season, and the Cardinals are playing a bit better lately. I’ll take Plattsburgh to win this game, but no matter what happens, it should be a good one.
“We knew this was going to be a big week for us,” Emery said.
SUNYAC Players of the Week (selected by the conference)
Player of the Week: Patrick Jobb, Plattsburgh (F, So., Oshawa, Ontario) tallied a hat trick and an assist to lead the Cardinals to a 7-1 win over Curry. Jobb was also named to 2011 Cardinal Classic All-Tournament Team.
Rookie of the Week: None.
Goaltender of the Week: Josh Leis, Plattsburgh (So., Kitchener, Ontario) led Plattsburgh to the Cardinal Classic Championship with a strong performance between the pipes. Following a 24-saves night against Curry, Leis only allowed one goal against Neumann and earned Tournament MVP honors.
