Dragons upset Cardinals in conference final
The Red Dragons put a damper on Plattsburgh’s day.
FINAL (OT): Cortland 2, Plattsburgh 1
Dragons rain on Plattsburgh’s parade
PICTURED: Cortland grad student Elena Eichmann protects the puck from Plattsburgh freshman Zsofia Pazmandi
PLATTSBURGH, NY — Two minutes into the game, the home crowd groaned when Cortland goalie Molly Goergen made a great kick save. The Plattsburgh faithful again grumbled during the second intermission, when Burghy the mascot pushed a center-ice shot wide right. But the Cardinals would experience ultimate disappointment in overtime, when Cortland grad student Elena Eichmann delivered the game-winning goal.
Filighera previews conference final vs. Plattsburgh
The Red Dragons are no strangers to playoff pressure.
PUCK DROP: 3 PM, Sat. 3/2, Plattsburgh
Dragons to appear in SUNYAC final
PICTURED: Cortland Head Coach Rick Filighera prepares in his office
CORTLAND, NY — The Red Dragons are no strangers to playoff pressure. On Saturday, Cortland will compete in the conference championship for the fourth time in five seasons. Head Coach Rick Filighera is expecting a close game against Plattsburgh.
“We know it’s going to be nip and tuck,” he said. “It’s really going to come down to us having composure, us executing on our penalty kills, and hopefully we’ll score a few more goals than them.”
To come out on top, the Dragons will have to dim Plattsburgh’s star forward Julia Massotta. The grad student has 36 points in 26 games this season. Filighera says he trusts his players to limit Massotta’s scoring chances.
“We play a very aggressive defensive zone coverage, so to control her, everybody’s got to do their job.”
Filighera believes the Dragons are playing their best hockey of the season. The team has lost just two games since early December.
“I like where we’re at,” he said. “I just feel good about this game.”