There’s still time left in the regular season, but Plattsburgh State women’s hockey is in an ideal spot for now. The Cardinals rose to No. 1 in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) women’s hockey standings after a 3-0 win against the SUNY Canton Kangaroos. Oswego State is two points behind Plattsburgh after playing one less conference game than them. Cortland is four points behind Plattsburgh after tying against Potsdam on Friday, Feb. 14.The Cardinals know the importance of holding the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, which will at least guarantee them one home playoff game in the four-team SUNYAC women’s hockey postseason. “That would be awesome,” said Plattsburgh junior forward Molly Riggi. “We love to play on home ice, and it would save us the travel, which we would all love, but being able to play here in front of the fans would be great.”Riggi led the Cardinals scoring a game-high two goals. One of those scores came right at the end of the second period. On a breakaway attack, Riggi fought through the contact of an opposing Kangaroo and, while falling, nailed the top left corner of the net to give her team a commanding 2-0 lead.”I kind of just got stuck, shot it, and it went in,” Riggi said. “Next thing I know, I’m looking up, and Bridget (Orr) is standing over me celebrating, so it was exciting. I just have a long reach, and the stick is long, too, so I was just trying to get it far enough in front of me that the other girl couldn’t reach it.”Kayson Ruegge was the first Cardinal to get on the board after following up on a rebound from an initial shot by Tessa Morris in the second period. Riggi scored the final goal of the game on an empty netter in the third period. Plattsburgh put heavy pressure on Canton, putting 50 shots on goal as a team. That constant offensive attack impressed Cardinal goalie Chloe Lewis. Lewis, who picked up her eighth shutout of the season, said the combination of the defense and offense was some of the best brand of hockey they played all season. “That was one of our best efforts that we’ve had all year,” Lewis said. “We probably had a season-high of shots on that goalie, we really got it done. Got those rebounds when we needed to, and I think that was probably our best effort all season.”With one more game to in the SUNYAC regular season for Plattsburgh, the Cardinals know that the final game against the Kangaroos this weekend is critical to get the points they need to try to earn their desired top seed. “Getting the four points on the weekend is probably the most important thing right now,” Lewis said. “Everything else is out of our control when it comes to other games, but just closing out the weekend strong in SUNYAC play would probably be the best thing.”Plattsburgh will finish their doubleheader against Canton on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 3 p.m.
There’s still time left in the regular season, but Plattsburgh State women’s hockey is in an ideal spot for now.
The Cardinals rose to No. 1 in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) women’s hockey standings after a 3-0 win against the SUNY Canton Kangaroos. Oswego State is two points behind Plattsburgh after playing one less conference game than them. Cortland is four points behind Plattsburgh after tying against Potsdam on Friday, Feb. 14.
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The Cardinals know the importance of holding the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, which will at least guarantee them one home playoff game in the four-team SUNYAC women’s hockey postseason.
“That would be awesome,” said Plattsburgh junior forward Molly Riggi. “We love to play on home ice, and it would save us the travel, which we would all love, but being able to play here in front of the fans would be great.”
Riggi led the Cardinals scoring a game-high two goals. One of those scores came right at the end of the second period. On a breakaway attack, Riggi fought through the contact of an opposing Kangaroo and, while falling, nailed the top left corner of the net to give her team a commanding 2-0 lead.
“I kind of just got stuck, shot it, and it went in,” Riggi said. “Next thing I know, I’m looking up, and Bridget (Orr) is standing over me celebrating, so it was exciting. I just have a long reach, and the stick is long, too, so I was just trying to get it far enough in front of me that the other girl couldn’t reach it.”
Kayson Ruegge was the first Cardinal to get on the board after following up on a rebound from an initial shot by Tessa Morris in the second period. Riggi scored the final goal of the game on an empty netter in the third period.
Plattsburgh put heavy pressure on Canton, putting 50 shots on goal as a team. That constant offensive attack impressed Cardinal goalie Chloe Lewis. Lewis, who picked up her eighth shutout of the season, said the combination of the defense and offense was some of the best brand of hockey they played all season.
“That was one of our best efforts that we’ve had all year,” Lewis said. “We probably had a season-high of shots on that goalie, we really got it done. Got those rebounds when we needed to, and I think that was probably our best effort all season.”
With one more game to in the SUNYAC regular season for Plattsburgh, the Cardinals know that the final game against the Kangaroos this weekend is critical to get the points they need to try to earn their desired top seed.
“Getting the four points on the weekend is probably the most important thing right now,” Lewis said. “Everything else is out of our control when it comes to other games, but just closing out the weekend strong in SUNYAC play would probably be the best thing.”
Plattsburgh will finish their doubleheader against Canton on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 3 p.m.
