Are you ready for another season? Well, ready or not it begins tomorrow night at 7PM. The Cards host Morrisville State for back to back contests.
Before we talk about Morrisville, lets take a look back at what went down this past week.
Look Back:
Those who watched the Red & White Game this past weekend, were treated to one of the best Red/White scrimmages that I’ve ever seen in my 14 years following the team. It was clear form the start that this game had a lot on the line. The guys were playing for spots on opening night.
The biggest thing I took away from that game was the team’s speed. This team is probably the quickest group we have had here in Plattsburgh. Makes you wish we had a larger ice surface. I look forward to catching the team this season over in Middlebury on the big sheet.
I am also looking forward to seeing how the goaltending shakes down this season. As many of you saw this past weekend, we probably have more depth at this position then ever before. Any one of the three goalies could emerge as the number one guy. Competition if fierce. Coach Emery commented on Monday’s Behind the Bench that the goalie starting on Friday is the goalie that has played the best thus far. Wanna know who that is? Here is a clue: the starting goalie’s first name has five letters in it. =]
In other Cardinal Hockey happenings this past week, Behind the Bench kicked of it’s season. Below is a recap of topics discussed on the program. If you missed the show, make sure to click on the Behind the Bench page and listen to the archived show.
Ducky and Bob talked about the following:
thoughts on last season
talked about players lost
talked about newcomers
talked about upcoming season (goaltending, defense, & offense)
talked about returning players
talked about tickets and details about the rink renovations
talked about the schedule.
This week the Cards were also ranked 14th in the preseason USCHO Division III Online Poll. The Cards ended last season unranked. This week also saw the SUNY coaches pick Plattsburgh to finish 2nd in the conference. The defending SUNYAC Champs were picked to finish 4th. That should give the Blue Devils some motivation to start the season. No surprise, Oswego was picked #1.
Look Ahead:
Ever ride a mustang bareback? No? Me neither.
This weekend the boys in red will face the Mustangs of Morrisville State (or as some of call them: My Little Ponnies) in back-to-back games. The games versus the Mustangs will count towards the SUNYAC standings this season. The Mustangs come into Plattsburgh for the first time under new coach Brian Grady (Hamilton College ‘00). The former coach Earl Utter took over the women’s head coaching job at Cortland State. Morrisville did lose their top goalie Travis Moore from last season . Moore has transferred to Buffalo State.
Last season the Cards opened the season at Morrisville with a 6-3 win. Six different Cardinals scored in that contest. Five of those goal-scorers are no longer on the team. Here is a recap of the game:
Jordan Stevenson opened the scoring in the game in the first period. Ryan Silveria and Nick Rolls assisted on the play.
Pier-Luc Belanger scored the lone goal in the second period on the power-play. Ryan Busby and Shane Remenda assisted on the goal.
Casey Smith gave the Cards a 3-0 lead with another power-play goal. Roll and Busby assisted.
Morrisville scored two quick goals half way through the 3rd to make it 3-2.
Shane Remenda scored on the power-play to put the Cards up 4-2. Belanger and Rolls get the assists.
Mustangs get one right back to make it 4-3.
Shawn Dennis and Kevin Galan both score in the last minute of the game fo the 6-3 win.
The Cards outshot the Mustangs 52 to 26. Karl Helgesson picked up the win.
It should be a good weekend of hockey folks. Hope to see everyone there, including the new student section we are supposed to have this season.
See you at the rink!
Bill
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