PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Vermont State University Castleton men's ice hockey team fell to Plattsburgh State on the road Friday evening to open the season, 6-1.
The Basics
• Final Score: Plattsburgh 6, VTSU Castleton 1
• Location: Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena – Plattsburgh, N.Y.
• Records: Plattsburgh 1-0 | Castleton 0-1
How It Happened
The first period was evenly matched, with both teams generating quality chances while the goaltenders kept the game scoreless. Plattsburgh broke through first, taking a 1-0 lead with 3:09 remaining in the frame. The Cardinals looked to extend their lead after
Cedrick Theodore was sent to the box at 17:53 for hooking, but the Spartans turned the tables. Just eight seconds into the penalty kill,
Emmett McHardy struck with an unassisted shorthanded goal to even the score at 1-1.
Momentum shifted in the second stanza as the Cardinals netted four unanswered goals to carry a 5-1 advantage into the final period.
Castleton made a change in net to start the third, as
Charles Watson relieved
Josh Ward. Watson and the Spartans battled hard, turning aside five shots and blocking seven more through the opening 13 minutes. However, the relentless Cardinals broke through again at 13:41, capitalizing on a 5-on-4 advantage after
Jack Linton and
Cam Reid were sent to the box following a crease-side skirmish to extend their lead to 6-1. Watson faced one final shot before the horn sounded, as Plattsburgh skated away with the win.
By the Numbers
• Ward earned the start for the Spartans, making 11 saves in 39:47 of action.
• Watson stood tall in relief, stopping eight shots in the third period.
• McHardy recorded Castleton's first goal of the season.
• Despite not finding the back of the net,
Cole Mathews led the offense with six shots, followed by
Luke Chakrabarti with five.
• Rookie
Holdin Getzlaf paced the defense with a team-high four blocked shots.
Up Next
The Spartans return to Dave Wolk Stadium on Saturday, November 1, hosting Wentworth Institute of Technology for their home opener at 4 p.m.
