Cardinal Hockey Week in Review for week ending 11/03/08

“The only team that can beat Plattsburgh is themselves.” - Plattsburgh State Fan

This weekends games against Fredonia and Buffalo were great games for this year’s team.

The Fredonia game provided some adversity during the third period. The Blue Devils were able to score two quick goals to make it a 3-2 game. However, the Cardinals responded well and went on to win the game 5-2.

Buffalo State bought their smash mouth physical brand of hockey to Plattsburgh on Saturday. Again, the Cards prevailed, getting the job done in a 4-2 win.

Two great character building games and four well deserved points. All is well in Cardinal Country.

Hard work, a never quit attitude, and following coach Emery’s game plans will go a long way in bringing this team back to Lake Placid this coming March.

How about the defense this weekend? The Cardinal defensive group accounted for nine total points on the weekend. In the Fredonia game, Nick Rolls had three assists, while Ryan Corry had one. During the Buffalo contest, the defense scored five of the team’s eight points. The first three goals in the game were scored by defensemen (Greene, Rolls & Corry). There is no doubt that this is one of the most talented group of defensemen Plattsburgh has ever had.

Riley Ford 3 Stars for Fredonia game:
1. Joey Wilson
2. Nick Rolls
3. Riley Hill

Riley Ford 3 Stars for the Buffalo game:
1. Ryan Corry
2. Nick Rolls
3. Zach Grasley

Media Links:
Fredonia Box Score
Press Republican Fredonia Story
Buffalo Box Score
Press Republican Buffalo Story

Random Thoughts:

Buffalo State need to stop taking stupid penalties if they want to become a SUNYAC contender/ The Bengal’s Ryan Ramage hurt his team this weekend. He took penalties for Slashing (2 of those), contact to the head, holding, and high sticking. If you ask me, this is a mark of an undisciplined player. If Mr. Ramage keeps this up, he will hurt his team somewhere down the line in a big game. Buffalo can play a physical style of hockey. I have no problem with that. It makes for fun games. However, there is no need for some of the stick work that was going on.

What a difference a week makes! The Cards did a great job on the power-play this past weekend. It looked nothing like what we saw against Elmira College the week before. The Cards connected on 31% of their power-play chances this weekend. That number could have been higher yet if not for those damn posts!!! I am curious to know exactly how many times the guys rang it off the post or crossbar this past weekend.

Charity Auction: The Bryan Hince charity auction is going well. The first signed stick/photo went for $100.00 and the current bid on this past weekend’s stick/photo is currently at $80.00. All the moneys from this auction will go to the North Country Down Syndrome Association. For more information click here. To place a bid, email your name, your bid and your email address to billr@westelcom.com or auction@cardinalhockey.net I know Bryan appreciates all of your support at the games and with this auction.

Current SUNYAC Standings:

1 - Plattsburgh - 4pts
2 - Brockport - 2pts
- Geneseo - 2pts
- Buffalo State - 2pts
- Oswego - 2pts
- Potsdam - 2pts
7 - Cortland -0pts
- Fredonia - 0pts
- Morrisville - 0pts

Cardinal Hockey.Net Players of the Week”

Offensive Player of the Week:
Joey Wilson - had an outstanding weekend for the Cardinals. Scored two goals and two assists on the weekend.

Honorable Mention - Riley Hill - had three points this past weekend and was a pest for the opposing goalies on the power-play.

Defensive Player of the Week:
Nick Rolls - Led all Cardinals in scoring this past weekend with one goal and four assists. Rolls is currently ranked 1st in team scoring with seven points.

Honorable Mention - Bryan Hince - had a .930 save percentage this past weekend along with a 2.00 goals against average, stopping 53 of 57 shots. More important, Hincey made the big and timely save when he need to. That is all a coach can ask for.

SUNYAC 11/3 Player/Goaltender of the Week

Nick Rolls was named SUNYAC Player of the Week this past week & teammate Bryan Hince was named SUNYAC Goaltender of the Week.

Rolls racked up a goal and three assists as Plattsburgh picked up two conference wins. Rolls had three assists in the 5-2 win over Fredonia, and a goal and an assist in the 4-2 win over Buffalo State. Four of the five points came on the power play. He also set up the game winning goal in the Buffalo State win.

Hince stopped 53 of the 57 shots against him in two weekend wins. He picked up an overal .930 save percentage.

10/27 Behind the Bench Quick Recap:

Coach talked about the Elmira Game and how it was a great way to start the season. The boys were itching to play. Coach stated that Ward Smith had a great game. The Cards had a lot going for them: the home crowd, the arena buzz, and the fact it was the first game of the season.

Coach was very unhappy with the power-play. He expects Phil Farrow will be back in the line up for the Fredonia/Buffalo weekend and that could help.

Talked about the penalties in the game. He did not agree with them all. Ticked off with ones he does agree with. Guys wont play if they take stupid penalties. Players sometimes wont listen unless you put them in stands.

Lot of good blocked shots. Talked about how the team graduated good penalty killing forwards. Four of the penalty killing guys from last season are not playing this year. Willock and Taylor did good a good job with Wilson and Hill on the PK.

Talked about why Breslin and VanderMale switched numbers. Because they wanted to!

Recruits at the Elmira game were impressed with the fans and facility.