Cardarelli previews SUNYAC semifinaLs

PUCK DROP: 7 PM, Sat. 3/1, Cortland

Cortland coach expects team to be ready

PICTURED: Cortland Head Coach Joe Cardarelli sits in his office

CORTLAND, NY – On the first night of March, expect madness on the ice.

The Red Dragons and Cardinals will meet in a rematch of last season’s stunning conference final. That game ended with Cortland players screaming and smiling, as the road team won in overtime.

A year later, the setting has shifted: Cortland will play host with a trip to the SUNYAC final on the line.

“I don’t know if it’s an advantage,” Cortland Head Coach Joe Cardarelli said of having the game on home ice. “Plattsburgh comes here every year.”

Cardarelli also pointed to Cortland’s perfect 12-0 record on the road this season. At home, it's 6-5.

But those games had lower stakes. For the first time all season, the Dragons must win tonight to stay alive.

“Everyone’s going to grip the stick a little tighter and be more anxious than a regular-season game,” Cardarelli said.

Despite the likely nerves, the longtime Cortland coach anticipates having a prepared roster come puck drop.

“My expectation is we’ll be ready for the game.”