Friday, March 29, 2024

Cards sweep four NEWHL games

The SUNY Plattsburgh women’s hockey team showed off its offense as the Cardinals swept Oswego State in a two-game home series last weekend.

Plattsburgh State went on to beat Potsdam 2-1 in overtime on the road last Wednesday.

The Cards (6-0) hosted the Lakers (2-2) last Friday and Saturday in the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena after a 3-1 non-league win against No. 8 Norwich University Nov. 6.

The Cards’ latest home win breaks an NCAA Division III women’s hockey record in consecutive home wins with 29 straight.

SUNY Plattsburgh started its streak almost two years ago against Potsdam in an 8-0 win Dec. 1, 2017.

The Cards outscored the Lakers 10-1 between both games.

Junior forward Kaitlyn Drew-Mead led SUNY Plattsburgh in goals scored during the weekend with a total of three, with a hat trick in last Friday’s 7-1 win, bringing her season total to five goals. Six different Cardinals scored the team’s 10 total goals.

Drew-Mead was awarded Player of the Week by the NEWHL for her performance against the Lakers, Norwich and Buffalo State. Drew-Mead totaled six points with four goals and two assists.

Freshman defenseman Kendall Wasik was also recognized by the NEWHL after being named Rookie of the Week. Wasik recorded two assists, blocked five shots and posted a +5 rating last week.

Six games into the regular season, head coach Kevin Houle has given each of the three goaltenders on the roster an opportunity to play in the net in hopes to find an everyday starting goaltender.

Freshman Chloe Beaubien got her chance after she played her first minutes in a regular season game last Saturday against Oswego State.

“I thought she played great,” Houle said. “I thought she had to be called upon in the second period especially to make some big saves to keep it a three-goal lead. It’s certainly not over at that stage of the game. She did an excellent job for us.”

Houle also said the Cards let go of their grip in the second period. It was Beaubien and her 12 saves in the second that kept the game under control.

“Our play was in their zone, not giving them any opportunities. That all kind of fell apart in the second period,” Houle said. “Oswego took the game over, had some great chances to get on the board. Had they scored, it would be a different game.”

Beaubien said she was nervous in her first start but found her footing as the game went on. She thinks the shutout will help her as the season progresses.

“It calms the nerves a lot for the rest of the season,” Beaubien said.

SUNY Plattsburgh traveled to Potsdam to play the Bears Wednesday. It was closest win for the Cards this season as they edged Potsdam 2-1 in overtime.

Plattsburgh State fell behind in the first period after a Potsdam goal nine minutes into the opening period. Junior forward Madison Walker tied the game in the second period with her first goal of the season.

The Cards were given four power plays throughout regulation but couldn’t take advantage either time.

Sophomore forward Nicole Unsworth scored the game-winning goal 1:22 into overtime.

SUNY Plattsburgh continues league play against SUNY Canton (0-3-1) in the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena tomorrow at 3 p.m.

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