Elmira goaltender Leonie-Louise Kuehberger keeps her eyes on the rebound as freshman defenseman Katie Manning holds off pressure from Plattsburgh graduate student Kaitlin Drew-Mead in the Northfield Savings Bank East-West Classic at Norwich’s Kreitzberg Arena. Plattsburgh State graduate student Annie Katonka stole the show with a hat trick in her return from injury as the Cardinals earned their revenge win, 4-3 over Elmira College in the first round of the Northfield Savings Bank East/West Classic at Norwich University’s Kreitzberg Arena.
Plattsburgh started strong early in the first period, sending a flurry of shots toward Elmira’s freshman goaltender Leonie-Louise Kuehberger, but it was the Soaring Eagles who broke through first, as junior forward Holley Riva found the back of the net near the midpoint of the period.
The opening goal started a frantic sequence in which the teams combined for three goals in just 1:19 of game time. Plattsburgh defenseman Kendall Wasik leveled the score with a snipe from the point before Elmira captain Eliza Beaudin broke forward to regain the lead.
Having given up two goals on five shots, Plattsburgh goaltender Ashley Davis - who had struggled in games against Endicott and Elmira two weeks ago - was done for the evening, as coach Kevin Houle opted instead for junior goaltender Chloe Beaubien.
A powerplay late in the first period helped the Cardinals tie the game before the intermission, as Katonka took advantage of a scramble in front of the Elmira goal to put the puck home.
The Soaring Eagles once again took the lead at 3:10 of the third period with Beaudin’s second goal of the night, but an Elmira penalty for too many players on the ice gave Katonka the chance to once again tie the game on the power play.
Elmira had an opportunity to retake the lead after the midpoint of the period, as two Plattsburgh penalties gave them a full minute of the 5-on-3 powerplay, but the Cardinals’ penalty kill stood strong.
Another Plattsburgh penalty late in the third period gave the Soaring Eagles one more hope of avoiding overtime, but it backfired.
Shortly after a shorthanded breakaway by graduate student Kaitlin Drew-Mead was cut short by Elmira’s Madi Morton, Kantonka created some magic of her own. Katonka stole the puck from the stick of senior defenseman Jenny Heath at the Elmira blue line and skated in alone to beat Kuehberger.
The shorthanded tally completed the hat trick for Katonka, in her first game back after suffering a leg injury two weeks ago against Endicott.
Beaubien earned the win with 29 saves on the 30 shots she faced after replacing Davis, while Kuehberger’s 34 saves on 38 was not enough to avoid the loss.
Plattsburgh advanced to Sunday’s East/West Classic final against host Norwich University, while Elmira moved on to the consolation game against Adrian College. Gallery.

Plattsburgh junior goaltender Chloe Beaubien kicks out the leg for the pad save as Elmira freshman goaltender Erika Goleniak skates into the zone on the weak side in the Northfield Savings Bank East-West Classic at Norwich’s Kreitzberg Arena. Gallery.

Plattsburgh State's Kyle Cary (21) with the hook shoot as he crosses through the paint as he had six points on the night. It would be the last game before the winter break as the Plattsburgh State Cardinals would host the Middlebury Panthers in front of just over 200 -fans. The first half would not go the way the home Cardinals were hoping for as they would be trailing the Panthers 47-34. In the second half, the Cardinals would do their best to try and keep it close but the Panthers would just do too much on this day as they would win the half 35-27 and secure the 82-61 for the Panthers. In a losing effort for the Cardinals, Kevin Tabb would have a team night 11 points as they would fall to 1-8 on the season with the next tilt after the New Year against the Clarkson Golden Knights. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Joe Cassiano with the jumper over the Middlebury defender from the mid-range. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Kanesha Strider (5) uses the body and goes up for the hoop as part of a seven-point night. It would be the last game before the winter break for the Plattsburgh State Cardinals as they would host long-time competitor the Middlebury Panthers. The game would start off close but the Cardinals would be behind by a score of 20-13. In the second quarter, the Cardinals would do their best to keep the game close but the Panthers would win the quarter 21-17 and have a 41-30 lead at the intermission. When the teams would return for the third quarter the Cardinals would stay in the fight but the Panthers would pull away by a little more with a 22-16 quarter and the Panthers would lead 63-46 heading into the fourth. Once again in the fourth, the Cardinals would stay close but the Panthers win by a slim 18-14 to give the Cardinals the 81-60 lose. In the losing effort, Mya Smith would lead the Cardinals with 24 points as they fall to 3-6 on the season while Alexa Mustafa. would lead the Panthers to the win with 24 points. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Koree Stillwell (4) with the layup on the breakaway as it rolls off the fingers. Gallery

The Plattsburgh State Cardinals celebrate as they tie the game up with just over three minutes left. In a rematch from the First Light Great Northern Shootout Championship, a couple of weeks the Plattsburgh State Cardinals would host the #9 Norwich Cadets. The game would remain scoreless all the way until the 4:34 mark of the second period when the Cadets would get the opening goal from Isaac Chapman for the 1-0 lead. Then at the 10:23 mark of the period, the Cadets would extend their lead to 2-0 on the Clark Kerner goal. Although at the 14:04 mark of the period the Cardinals would get on the board on the Adam Tretowicz goal to make it 2-1. The Cardinals would keep fighting and with three minutes left in the game, they would find the equalizer from Jacob Moody to make it 2-2. So in the rematch there would be no winner as the game would finish 2-2 after a five-minute 3x3 overtime, With the decision, the Cardinals go to 6-4-2 on the season as Anthony Del Tuffo would make 19 saves on the night. The Cardinals will finish out the first portion of the season on the road against the Morrisville State Cardinals. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Mike Falanga (10) charges in and puts the hit on Norwich's John Barnovetz and rides him into the broads. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Thomas Miaia with the lone goal of the game as it goes over the shoulder of the Bears goaltender. The Plattsburgh State Cardinals would host the Potsdam State Bears in the annual teddy bear toss night to benefit the youth of the Plattsburgh area on the battle of the North Country. It would be an ever evenly matched game throughout with many hard-hitting but legal ones as they would have few penalties called throughout the night. There actually would only be a goal scored on the night as the Cardinals would finally light the lamp from Thomas Maia with 5:33 left in the game in front of just over 1700 fans. In the winning effort, Anthony Del Tuffo would make 24 saves for the shutout as they go to 6-4-1 on the season while the Bears fall to 0-8 on the season. Next up for the Cardinals will be a rematch with the Norwich Cadets on December 7th. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Marcus Mitchell (39) with the hard hit on Potsdam State's Rob Clerc (27) that sends him spinning around like a top. Gallery