To begin the season with a win is a way for a team to feel good going to the season. The Plattsburgh State men’s hockey team did just that with a 6-2 win over the Quebec Collegiate Hockey League All-Stars in an exhibition match.
The goals were scored by senior forward Mark Constantine, sophomore forward Kyle Hall, senior forward Michael Cassidy, freshman defender Andrew Rossy and junior forward Dillon Fox.
Constantine scored two goals and had one assist in the game. He said that the team started shaky, but picked up the pace as it went along.
“We worked the little kinks out, but they were a good team to play against,” Constantine said. “The men worked hard and it helped us.”
Constantine said that during the first period the All-stars were outplaying PSUC and the team was working it down low into the other team’s zone, which was the reason behind his two goals.
The first period was a back-and-forth battle with the puck remaining in the PSUC zone for extended periods of time. The team was having trouble playing to their strengths and was giving the All-Stars a chance to score, but new goalie junior Spencer Finney, who transferred from Colgate, was able to make quick moves and keep the opponent at zero goals.
The team kept control even though they were shaky at the beginning. They were able to sink three goals during the first.
Going into the second period, the team picked up the pace and started controlling the puck. They started outworking the All-Stars, using their speed and toughness to wear down the other team and score three more goals to give themselves the 6-0 lead.
In the final period, the Cards brought in their third goalie of the game, Ryan Hubbard, who gave up two goals on sloppy play by the PSUC team. After the two goals, the team settled down and took back control, limiting the damage and taking the win.
Constantine said there is still room for improvement before the season starts.
“We are always looking to score more goals, work on our defense, get in better shape, outwork teams and there is always room for improvement,” Constantine said.
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