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Friday, February 26, 2010

SUNYAC Semi-Finals Preview

This weekend two teams will emerge and then play for the SUNYAC Championship next weekend. However, all four teams should not think that far and worry about their upcoming opponents this weekend. To no one's suprise the top two teams in the conference are Oswego and Plattsburgh. However, their two opponents are somewhat of a suprise.

The top seed Oswego State Lakers will host the Morrisville Mustangs on Saturday night at 7:00 pm from the Campus Center Ice Arena. Oswego (23-2-0) was one game away from sweeping the entire SUNYAC Conference this season until dropping a 3-1 decision at the Ira S Wilson Rink in Geneseo against the Ice Knights on the last day of the regular season. Oswego is also coming into this contest being the number 2 ranked team in the nation, according to the latest USCHO D-III Polls.  Morrisville is coming in to ths game with the Lakers with a overall record of 9-16-0 and they are here after defeating the Fredonia Blue Devils 3-2 in Overtime on Tuesday evening during the play in game. Just three days prior to that, Fredonia lit up the Mustangs 7-1.  Oswego swept the regular season against the Mustangs, beating them 8-1 in Oswego back on November 21st and 5-3 on February 13th at the Ice Plex in Morrisville. Oswego is led offensively by their top line of Eric Selleck, Chris Laganiere and Justin Fox. Selleck, hit the 50 point plateau while Laganiere and Fox both have 42 points respectfully. The Lakers are solid in net with both Kyle Gunn-Taylor (16-1-0, 1.78 GAA and .924 save %) and Paul Beckwith (7-1-0, 1.85 GAA, .931%) performing well. Morrisville is led offensively by juniors Rob Sgarbossa, Andrew Alarie and Bobby Cass. Sgarbossa only has 21 points, thats half the points that both Laganiere and Fox has for Oswego. Look for Morrisville to come out all hyped up after beating Fredonia and look for Oswego to put the pressure on Mustang netminder Caylin Relkoff  (9-13-0, 4.05 GAA and .890 save%) early and often and therefore the Lakers will host the SUNYAC Championship game on the shores of Lake Ontario. 

The second ranked Plattsburgh Cardinals are set to host the Brockport Golden Eagles Saturday Night at the Stafford Ice Arena. The Cards, (17-4-4) are looking to find their way back into the SUNYAC Championship and try to defend their title. Plattsburgh is coming into this showdown ranked forth in the nation according to the USCHO D-III Polls. The Brockport Golden Eagles (14-11-1) are coming to Plattsburgh after shutting out the Potsdam Bears 3-0 in their Play in Game on Tuesday night. Plattsburgh, like Oswego swept their opponent during the regular season, defeating the Golden Eagles 4-1 at Stafford and then 7-1 in Brockport. The Cardinals are led offensively by Juniors Dylan Clarke ( 7 G, 17 A for 24 points) and Eric Satim (10 G, 13 A for 23 points).  Brockport is led by Sophomore James Cody (13 G-14 A- 27 P) and Junior Ray Tremblay (6 G- 19 A- 25 P). The battle will be in net as Brockport's Todd Sheridan is coming in with a 11-10-1 record, 3.02 GAA and a .913 save %. Plattsburgh's two  Freshmen netminders, Ryan Williams (10-1-1, 1.89 GAA, .917 save %) and Josh Leis (7-3-3, 1.63 GAA and .933 save %) have performed well for Bob Emery after the early departure of former netminder Bryan Hince. Look for Brockport to come out and skate well with the Cardinals but as the game goes on, Plattsburgh's pressure on Sheridan will take over and look for the Cardinals to play for the SUNYAC Championship next weekend.

Here are the scenarios for the right to play in the SUNYAC Championship
If Oswego wins - they will host the SUNYAC Championships
If Plattsburgh Wins - Either host the Championship game (with Oswego loss) or they will travel to Oswego
If Brockport Wins - Travel to Oswego or host Morrisville for the Championship
If Morrisville Wins - Travel to either Brockport or Plattsburgh

Media Coverage of SUNYAC Semi-Finals 
For those who cannot attend the game in Oswego... Time Warner Cable Sports will broadcast the game live as well as WTOP-10 and locall access channel 96. They are also webstreaming the game live courtesy of Oswego State Sports Information with WTOP personnel providing commentary for WTOP and the webstream. A live radio broadcast will provided by WNYO (88.9 FM) and is available at www.wnyo.org, as well as live stats, which can be accessed at www.sidearmstats.com/oswego/mhockey.

As for the Plattsburgh game, long time play by play announcer Ducky Drake will broadcast the match up with Brockport on WIRY radio in Plattsburgh. Live stats is also available by CLICKING HERE. For the Brockport fans, 89.1 The Point will cover the game on the radio dials with Live Stats doing that game as well as Fast Hockey.com providing video.