Beekmantown's Collin Latinville (19) slides it under Lakers goalie Andres Statton (30) for the eagles goal. Saranac Lake/Lake Placid Lakers In a game that people were starting to wonder if it would ever get played after two separate weather delays move the game from its original Thursday night to Saturday night as the #1 Saranac Lake/Lake Placid Lakers would host the #4 Beekmantown Eagles. It would take till about halfway through the first period before we had our first goal when the Lakers would score on the shorthand from Dylan Amell to make it 1-0 Lakers. Although that wouldn't be the last we would hear Dylan Amell as he would score again with two minutes left in the period to give the Lakers a 2-0 lead after the first period. When the teams came back for the second period the Lakers wouldn't waste time extending there lead as they would score twice in the first three minutes from Rhett Darrah and Jon Kratts for a 4-0 lead. The Lakers would take firm control of the game with just under five minutes left in the second period on the Tyler Hinckley goal to make it 5-0 at the end of the second period. In the third period, the Eagles wouldn't give up as they would get on the board five minutes in when Dalton Kane would score to make it 5-1. The Lakers would answer back with five minutes left in the game on the Hugo Hobson powerplay goal for a 6-1 lead. The Eagles would answer right back 55 seconds later on a Colin Latinville breakaway goal to make it 6-2. Although 55 seconds after that the Lakers would regain their five-goal lead at 7-2 as Dylan Amell would get his hat trick goal on the night for the win. Although in a losing effort Riley Hansen for the Eagles would play outstanding as he would have 53 saves on the night as their season finishes with a 9-11-2 record. As for the Lakers, Anders Stanton would make 11 saves as the advance to the championship against the Saranac Chiefs with 14-6-1 on March 3rd. Gallery

Saranac Lake/Lake Placid Lakers Dylan Amell (7) uses the body to get the net past the Eagles defender as he scores as part of a hat trick night. Gallery

Saranac/Peru forward Zack O’Connell (12) tracks behind Northeastern Clinton’s Samuel Bulson (19) at mid-ice in a Section VII semifinal contest at the Rouses Point Civic Center. The crowd at the Rouses Point Civic Center was treated to plenty of bonus hockey Thursday night, as it took two overtime periods for Saranac to take down Northeastern Clinton by a final score of 5-4. The Chiefs, 6-2 winners against the same opposition one week earlier, found themselves in a hole early, after the Cougars took a 2-0 lead by the 4:21 mark off goals from Chase Letourneau and Lucas Bedard. It took less than a minute for Saranac to cut that deficit in half. Austin Carpenter tapped in a feed from linemate Hayden Buckley to get the visiting team on the board, scoring the third goal of the game at only the 5:04 mark of the first period. After that flurry of goals, the teams had to wait for the next goal, which didn’t come until 9:50 into the second period. The Cougars regained their two-point lead on a powerplay goal from Letourneau for the only tally of the second period. With the home team leading shots on goal 23-10 going into the final period of regulation, momentum began to shift in the latter half of the third. The Chiefs got themselves within reach at the 8:49 mark of the period when Nikalas Hamel sent home a slapshot from the high point to beat goaltender Ethan Garrand. Just 12 seconds after the goal, things looked grim against for Saranac, as starting defenseman Nolan Knight was sent to the box for roughing. However, it was the chiefs who would enjoy the fruits of the special-teams action. Breaking out of the defensive zone, Buckley made a good move to dodge a check at the blue line by Northeastern Clinton defenseman Zach Miller, creating a two-on-one in the offensive zone. Buckley made a nice cross-ice pass to Hamel, who sent home a shorthanded goal to tie the game with 4:39 left in regulation. With the score tied, Saranac continued to press offensively, and it paid off inside two minutes to go. Zack O’Connell carried the puck into the zone along the boards, cutting in toward goal once he’d beaten his man. He sent a wrist shot high to take the late lead. The Chiefs could have sealed victory late in regulation, but a long-range shot at the empty net in the final minute missed, crossing the line inches outside of the post. The Cougars made that miss count, as Jack Bulson sent a slapshot from the point past goaltender Erick Frechette to tie the game with 36 seconds on the clock. Fatigue began to show for both sides in the overtime period, and shots on net became much more scarce. Saranac’s coaching staff leaned heavily on its top line of O’Connell, Carpenter, and Buckley, who played shifts several minutes long. They kept the Cougars in their own end, though, and continued to press. While one overtime was not enough to settle the contest, it didn’t take long in the second extra period for the winning goal to come. The Chiefs crashed the net, with several players hunting for a rebound after a hard shot on Garrand’s goal, and O’Connell picked up the loose puck to end the game. Garrand made 27 saves in the lengthy game, while Frechette made 31 stops in net for the win. With the victory, Saranac advanced to Tuesday’s Section VII Championship against Saranac Lake/Lake Placid at the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena. Gallery

Saranac forward Hayden Buckley (26) attempts to skate around the Northeastern Clinton defenseman John Bulson (7) in a Section VII semifinal contest at the Rouses Point Civic Center. Gallery

Beekmantown's Colin Latinville (19) with the hit on the broads against Plattsburgh's Ethan Kay (2). It would be the start of the Champlain Valley Athletic Conference playoffs and we would have a treat as it would be the crosstown rivalry. It would be the #4 Beekmantown Eagles going against the #5 Plattsburgh Hornets with the winner having a matchup against the #1 Saranac Lake/Lake Placid Lakers in Saranac Lake on February 27th. The game would start off good for the Eagles as they would get the opening goal of the game at the 4:14 mark of the first period on the powerplay from Alex Breizna for the 1-0 lead. That is where the game would stay throughout the rest of the period and throughout the second. In the third period though the Eagles would cement there lead on the DJ Gonyo goal at the 5:15 mark for his first career high school goal to make it 2-0. That would be all that the Eagles would need as they would hold on for the 2-0 win. In the winning effort, Riley Hansen would make 24 saves for the shutout as they go to 9-10-2 on the season and now play the Saranac Lake/Lake Placid Lakers in the semi-finals. As for the Hornets, John Dublanyk would make 34 saves although it wouldn't be enough as the season comes to an end at 6-11-4 on the season. Gallery

Plattsburgh's Ethan Kay (2) with the hard hit along the end broads that sends Beekmantown's Alex Briezna to the ice. Gallery

Plattsburgh's Drew Knowles and Beekmantown's Alex Brienza (18) battle for the loose puck in the offensive face off circle. Plattsburgh High School and Beekmantown skated to a 0-0 tie amid drama and controversy in the Hannah's Hope game at the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena Saturday, Feb. 15. Beekmantown cleared the bench with 12 seconds left in the overtime period, swarming forward Collin Latinville in celebration of an apparent game-winning goal. The Eagles briefly celebrated and then lined up for post-game handshakes before the officials finished discussing the play and waving off the goal. The ruling was that Plattsburgh goaltender John Dublanyk was interfered with by incidental contact from Luke Moser. After protests from Beekmantown players and coaches, play resumed and the final 12 seconds passed without a goal. It was the second disallowed goal of the night, as the Hornets thought Brandt Clarke had scored a goal in the second half of the third period to take the 1-0 lead, but the official blew the play dead and ruled the puck had not crossed the line. That incident came only moments after Beekmantown's best scoring chance of the game, an odd-man rush that saw Dalton Kane's shot hit the post. In the physical game that accompanied a fundraiser for Hannah's Hope Fund, which raised more than $2,000, Beekmantown's Ryan Hansen made 27 saves while Dublanyk stopped all 50 shots sent his way. Gallery

Plattsburgh's Jace Lace (21) with the block shot on Beekmantown's Gavin Fessette (25) as he goes sliding across the ice. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Sara Wolfe (10) goes around the defender and breaks to the goal as part of two goal night. It would be a battle of national powers as the #1 Plattsburgh State Cardinals would host the #4 Elmira Soaring Eagles at the Ronald B Stafford Ice Arena as part of the senior night for the Cardinals. The game would start off good for the home Cardinals as they would take the 1-0 lead 5:48 into the first period when Sara Wolfe would light the lamp. The game would stay there the ten-minute mark of the period when the Cardinals would strike again once again from Sara Wolfe for her second of the night to make it 2-0 Cardinals. The Soaring Eagles would do there best to keep the game close as they would go through the whole second period without a goal. In the third period about halfway through the back would break and the Cardinals would score from Taylor Whitney for the 3-0 lead and hold one for the win. In the winning effort, the Cardinals would go to 22-1 on the season as Ashley Davis would make 22 stops on the night. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Sara Krauseneck (25) with the diving effort to keep the puck in the offensive zone on the powerplay. Gallery

Saranac's Jared Duquette (21) takes it for the layup as part of a fifteen point night. It would be the Saranac Chiefs hosting the Plattsburgh Hornets in Champlain Valley Athletic Conference Boy's Basketball action. Before the game would start they would honor the seven seniors that were on this year's team. Once the game would get underway the Chiefs would take early control of the game and have a 20-10 lead. In the second quarter, it would be more of the same as the Chiefs would stay hot and win the quarter 14-7 and have a 34-17 lead at the break. When the teams would come out from the break for the third quarter the Hornets would start to find there stroke but it would be not enough they would win the third 18-16 and the Chiefs would still have a 50-35 lead. In the fourth quarter, the Hornets would stay hot and win the quarter 22-19. Although it would not be enough as the Chiefs would hang on for the 69-57 victory. In the winning effort, the Chiefs would go to 15-4 on the season and Connor Recore would lead the way with 18 points. Gallery

Saranac's Connor Recore (15) with the three from the wing as part of a eighteen point night. Gallery

The Clinton Warriors pose for there team photo as they are crowned the 2020 NYSPHSAA Girls Hockey State Champions. In only its fifth year of play, Clinton Central’s girl's hockey program claimed its first NYSPHSAA Regional Championship title Sunday at Lake Placid’s Herb Brooks Arena. Up against the defending champion, Section VI’s Williamsville, the Lady Warriors earned the title with a strong defensive performance and a second straight 1-0 shutout by senior goaltender Hailey Millington. After one scoreless period of play, Clinton led the shots on goal count 4-1 despite Williamsville spending most of the period in the offensive zone. Clinton’s defense held firm, taking away shooting lanes and working on the transition. The second period saw increased offensive pressure by Williamsville, who outshot the Warriors 9-1 in the middle frame, but the Millington didn’t flinch. The deadlock was finally broken at 6:37 of the third period when Clinton captain Mia Lopata hit a one-timer from the blue line and found space just under the crossbar. Williamsville pressed for an equalizer, peppering Millington with 14 shots in the final period, but was unable to find the back of the net, and it was Clinton who piled on their goaltender in celebration at the final buzzer. Millington made a total of 24 saves in the shutout, while Williamville’s Mia Wendell stopped 12 of the 13 shots she faced. Gallery

Clinton goaltender Hailey Millington tracks the rebound after making a pad save en route to a 1-0 shutout win over Williamsville. Gallery

Clinton goalscorer Abby Kurdziolek wins a battle along the boards with Salmon River captain Rylee Garrow. The undefeated Section X girls hockey champion, Salmon River, faced off against a worthy opponent Saturday on the 1980 Olympic Rink at Lake Placid’s Herb Brooks Arena. In a tight NYSPHSAA Regional Semifinal contest, the Lady Warriors of Clinton Central knocked off the Shamrocks in a 1-0 upset. Salmon River entered the contest with a 20-0-2 record but faced the task of taking down the team that gave them one of those two ties, a 1-1 deadlock in December. Despite the narrow result, Clinton appeared in control for large portions of the contest, keeping the Shamrocks pinned in their own zone for long stretches and restricting the Section X Champions to only 1 shot in the first period. That shot did not come until the final minute of the opening frame. When Salmon River did get offensive possession, their defensemen were repeatedly beaten at the blue line by fast-skating forwards chipping the puck to themselves along the boards. The first significant scoring opportunity for either team came on the powerplay for the Warriors, as a shot from the high slot was tipped in from of Shamrocks goaltender Carli Cartier, but the puck sailed over the crossbar and the teams entered intermission knotted at 0. Clinton took the lead at the 4:45 mark of the second period on a similar play, as sophomore defenseman Abby Kurdziolek tipped in a shot from up high by freshman forward Drew Kopek. Just over a minute later, the Section III champions celebrated a second goal before the officials ruled the net had been dislodged. Salmon River started to generate more offensive pressure in the latter stages of the second frame, but went into the third period facing a 1-0 deficit, the Warriors led shots 15-6. The Shamrocks struggled against the Clinton defense in the final period, getting only three shots on goal. Salmon River’s best scoring chance of the game came midway through the third when Hannah Johnston and Jaryn Chubb appeared to have a clean break up the ice, only to be chased down by the defense and fail to beat goaltender Hailey Millington. The dueling senior goaltenders kept the game close throughout, as Cartier’s 18 saves on 19 shots were bested by Millington’s nine-save shutout. With the win, the Warriors advanced to the NYSPHSAA Regional Championship against defending champion Williamsville. Gallery

Salmon River captain Rylee Garrow drives into the offensive zone under pressure from Clinton defenseman Payton Cronk. Gallery

Plattsburgh's John Dublaynk (30) with the toe save on a sliding Saranac's Bailey Marsh (21). It would be senior night at Ronald B Stafford Ice Arena as the Plattsburgh Hornets would honor their seniors before there game against the Saranac Chiefs in Champlain Valley Athletic Conference action. When the game would get underway it would start off good for the home Hornets as Seamus Andrews would light the lamp at the 9:52 mark to give the Hornets the 1-0 lead. Although with just under two minutes left in the period the Chiefs would answer back and tie the game at 1 on the Autin Carpenter goal. In the second period, the Hornets would fight back and take the one-goal lead back at 2-1 with just over four minutes left as Seamus Andrews would strike for his second of the game. Although the Chiefs wouldn't go away cause with 40 seconds left in the period they would tie the game up again this time at two on the Hayden Buckley goal. Then the third period would come around and the Chiefs would run out of gas as the Hornets quickly take a 3-2 lead 1:26 into the period on the Tyler Ried goal. Then with just under five minutes left in the game, the Hornets would extend there lead to 4-2 on the Ethan Kay goal. Then in the final minutes of the game, Seamus Andrews would get his hat trick on a shorthanded empty-net goal for the 5-2 victory. In the winning effort, John Dublanky would make 28 saves as the Hornets would go to 4-10-2 on the season while Erick Frechette would make 24 saves as the Chiefs fall to 11-8 on the season. Gallery

Plattsburgh's Jace Lace (21) and Saranac's Aiden Recore (17) battle for possesion along the end boards in the late stages of the game. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Travis Cox (35) takes flight by the defender for the layup and score as part of a 16 point night. It would be a SUNYAC Men's basketball affair at Memorial Hall as the Plattsburgh State Cardinals would host the Buffalo State Bengals in front of 125 fans. It would be a close game throughout the first half but the Bengals would be able to pull away and take a 49-44 lead at the break. When the teams came back for the second half the Cardinals would do there best to keep the game close but the Bengals would be just too much as they win the second half 40-38 as the Cardinals would fall short at 89-82. In the losing effort, Erik Salo would lead the way for the Cardinals with 25 points as they fall to 8-13 on the season. Next up for the Cardinals would be a road trip next weekend to Oswego and Cortland. Gallery.

Plattsburgh State's Jeremy Eisemann (13) with the block attempt on Buffalo State's Kay Grant (23). Gallery.