PLATTSBURGH — The Plattsburgh State women’s hockey team is clicking on all cylinders right now.
After sweeping the season series against Potsdam, 3-0 this weekend, the Cardinals (20-2-1, 15-1-0 SUNYAC) stand with an 11 game winning streak and a #2 ranking, according to USCHO.com.
And if you ask anyone on the team, it’s been nothing short of a complete team effort to keep the streak alive.
“I think that’s an attribution to our depth and a lot of people stepping up,” Julia Masotta said. “I think it comes down to all our lines playing well, (defense) playing outstanding and our goaltending has been great.”
“So I think having the depth and being able to rely on all lines and again, everybody in the lineup I think that makes it the easiest it can be to keep winning games.”
But the winning streak wasn’t on the minds of the players this weekend. It was a cause of celebration Saturday as the Cardinals held Senior Day for five players: Masotta, Kendall Wasik, Tatem Cheney, Ivy Boric and Lilla Nease.
They’ve been great, great players and great, great, great people more importantly,” head coach Kevin Houle said. “They’ve been through a lot, with COVID and losing time and having seasons ended early and that type of thing.
“They’ve a great group and we’re gonna miss them. That’s for sure. As I always say, in these games on senior days, we got a lot more hockey to play. So hopefully we send them out the right way.”
FRIDAY
PLATTSBURGH 2
POTSDAM 1
This was a game that could have gone either way early on, only for the Cardinals to wake up in the third period.
“I thought we came out flat,” Houle said. “We were flat in the first period. I mean, we had some good chances.
“We made some big saves. I thought we carried the play, but [Potsdam was] always kind of there. Anything could happen in those types of games.”
Ciara Wall finally made a dent on the scoreboard on a power play midway through the third period thanks to an assist by Wasik.
Six minutes later, Emily Kasprzak would score what would become a much needed insurance goal, as the Bears would put one on the board in the final minute of the game.
“Key points in the game obviously,” Houle said. “The first goal was huge and then to get the insurance goal obviously came in big to get that second goal.
“If we didn’t get that with their late goal that’s a different story. It could possibly be a whole different finish.”
Houle stressed the importance of consistency as they would return to the ice, Saturday.
“I just didn’t think we controlled the play enough,” he said. “You know, at times we did, but certainly there are other times just kind of back and forth and got a little dangerous in our own end at times certainly a close game like that can go the other way.
“But, you know, we’ve had a knack for finding a way to win and getting goals.”
SATURDAY
PLATTSBURGH 1
POTSDAM 0
Saturday was a different atmosphere.
Not only did the team celebrate its five seniors, but they had a determination not to let the day be spoiled.
“It’s been a great ride so far,” Wasik said. “Seeing the senior class when I was a freshman, do what they did.
They showed me how it was to be a Cardinal here as did the classes after them step up. Now it’s been my turn to step into that role. It’s definitely a team where everyone cares for each other and supports each other.”
Masotta added that the entire weekend was special, as for the whole experience, “You cannot ask for more.”
Plattsburgh didn’t waste time to get on the scoreboard, though it took almost the entirety of the first period.
Mattie Norton sent home a puck that was set up by the play of Wall and Olshansky. It would be all the Cardinals would need as they controlled the game from start to finish, rarely letting Potsdam into their side of the rink.
“I thought we had certainly better play that we came up with way more energy,” Houle said. We came out and really controlled the play.
They had their chances, you know, and certainly in a close game, anything can happen. The effort was better on our end (than yesterday). We had a lot of momentum right from the get go and really controlled the game.”
While the Cardinals only got the one across the line, they had opportunities to blow the game open. They just weren’t able to punch them in.
If you ask Wasik, while more goals are nice, a win is a win.
“Confidence wise, a win is always good,” she said. “The scoreboard did say 1-0, but a win is a win.
“We found a way to win, we just need to do a better job of putting some pucks in the net. But, it does show that our defense and goaltenders are good. We just have to bear down and take care of the little things.”
Up next for Plattsburgh is a big test in #12 ranked Cortland (17-4-2, 12-3-1 SUNYAC),
Wasik said to continue the winning streak and head into the playoffs, the team just needs to focus on itself.
“I think we just need to play our game, worry about us and keep doing what we’re doing,” she said. “We just need to continue to carry the confidence and mentality that we play with every game.”
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Friday
Plattsburgh 2, Potsdam 1
PSU;0;0;2;-;2
Pot;0;0;1;-;1
Third Period- 1, PSU, Wall ppg (Wasik) 9:51. 2, PSU, Kasprzak (Urban) 15:38. 3, Pot, Teachout (Palameta, Proulx) 19:38.7.
Shots on goal- Plattsburgh, 30-14
Saves- Parent, Pot, 28. Nease, PSU, 13
—
Saturday
Plattsburgh 1, Potsdam 0
PSU;1;0;0;-;1
Pot;0;0;0;-;0
First Period- 1, PSU, Norton ppg (Olshansky, Wall) 19:22.5
Shots on goal- Plattsburgh, 49-17
Saves- Parent, Pot, 48. Nease, PSU, 17.