Thursday, October 31, 2019

Brockport visits the North Country


It’s here.

Finally.

The start of the 2019-2020 season.

The team comes into the First Weekend with high expectations for the season and a very real chance to be a team that makes an extended run in the playoffs.

The season begins with two away games on the always tough North Country road trip.

Friday finds Brockport at Plattsburgh, always a tough place to play. It’s the beginning of a new era there, as Steve Moffat is the man, taking over for a living legend in coach Bob Emery. Having spent 16 years as Bob’s assistant, he’s had a hand in the success the Cardinals have enjoyed through the years and he looks to continue that.

Brockport and Plattsburgh faced off three times last year. They tied 1-1 in a November affair at Stafford Ice Arena. The Cardinals soundly beat the Golden Eagles 4-1 at Tuttle Ice Arena in January. And, then, Plattie didn’t let Brockport past the first round of the playoffs, handing them a 3-1 loss.

Plattsburgh was a 13-12-2 team last year based on an incredible defense headlined by goalie Jimmy Poreda and his stingy .935 save percentage. Their offense was totally unlike any ever produced by Plattsburgh -- not a single player surpassed 15 points on the season! This likely never occurred there – Plattsburgh has always amassed amazing offensive talent. Heading into this season, they lost 5 of their top 6 scorers.

It will be a battle of great defenses, and Brockport has a major offensive edge. Brockport could secure an upset in front of an excited Cardinals crowd.

Saturday’s game finds Brockport taking on the Bears at Potsdam.

Brockport mauled them last year, a 4-2 win and a 3-0 shutout.

The Bears were 8-16-1 last year. They will be markedly improved this year as all 8 of their top scorers return, a year stronger, a year more experienced. Bryce Ferrel and Jack Bloem are the guys to watch, each lighting the lamp 9 times in 2018-2019.

With Nate Skidmore having graduated, the goalie situation is up in the air, especially since he was a workhorse and the others saw little ice time last year.