PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Brett Zeggil (Dundalk, Ont.) gave Castleton a 1-0 lead halfway through the second period, but Plattsburgh State scored a pair of unanswered goals over the final 30 minutes of action to take the championship game of the Cardinal Classic men's hockey tournament 2-1 Saturday evening.

After a scoreless first period, Zeggil knocked home his first goal of the season off a Nick Lazorko (Rockwall, Texas) with 11 minutes left in the second period, giving Castleton the 1-0 advantage.

Plattsburgh State continued to apply pressure in the offensive zone for the remainder of the second period, out-shooting the Spartans 19-9 for the period. But, Castleton goalie Erick Conotti (Mahwah, N.J.) kept the Cardinals at bay until the 16:30 mark when Kyle Taylor (St. Albans, Vt.) broke through for his fourth goal of the season. Nick Jensen (Helsingborg, Sweden) and Matty MacLeod (Woburn, Mass.) provided assists on the equalizer.

The Cardinals carried the momentum into the third period, and held an 11-2 shot advantage through the first 14 minutes but once again it was Cinotti who answered the bell, keeping the game knotted at 1-1.

The 12th shot of the period proved too much however, as freshman Jake Mooney (North York, Ont.) finally solved Cinotti for what proved to be the game-winner.

Cinotti finished the evening with 40 saves, backing up a 42-save performance in last night's win to earn Tournament Most Valuable Player honors.

Castleton will return to Plattsburgh next Friday for a 7 pm non-conference match up.

All-Tournament Team:

Utica - Tim Coffman
Plattsburgh - Kyle Kudroch
Plattsburgh - Alex Jensen
Castleton - Dru Douglas
Plattsburgh - Paul Puglisi

Tournament MVP - Castleton: Erick Cinotti