Plattsburgh, NY – A rare Saturday 7 PM game saw the Williams College Ephs (4-9-1) pitted against the Plattsburgh State Cardinals (11-4-2). After one and a half periods of hard-hitting hockey, the Cardinals would cash in on a fortunate bounce in front, skating away with a 2-0 victory.
The Ephs came out hot on the road, hemming the Cardinals in their own zone for much of the opening frame and registering ten shots. The relentless attack proved fruitless as Williams could not find the back of the net, even ringing the crossbar on a chance by
Sean Clarke.
The second period began similarly for Williams, then with twelve minutes remaining the Ephs would find themselves on a five-minute powerplay following a dangerous hit from Plattsburgh. The Cardinals would hold strong, not allowing the Ephs many chances during the man advantage and only conceding three shots. The home team would use this momentum to rally a late push in the second, for which they were rewarded. A tough bounce off an Ephs' shin pad found a Plattsburgh stick and was fired home past Sandquist.
A hungry Williams team entered the third period in familiar territory; down one goal they were poised to strike. Plattsburgh was able to fend off much of the Williams attack until they once again took a poorly timed penalty, putting the Ephs a man up with just four minutes remaining. As the puck was worked around, the Ephs could not seem to crack the Cardinals' defense and once again opted to pull the goaltender. Unfortunately, the magic would not continue for Williams, and they would allow a late empty-net goal to seal the game.
This game concludes the Ephs' out-of-conference competitions, setting them up for a tough NESCAC schedule in the home stretch. Williams makes the grueling trip to Maine next Friday and will face Bowdoin College at 7 PM.
