This matchup was about as high stakes as it could get for a round one game. SUNY Cortland was making their first-ever national tournament appearance upon their triumph over SUNY Plattsburgh in an exciting overtime matchup to grant them the SUNYAC conference title and an automatic berth. Plymouth State, meanwhile, put yet another MASCAC championship to their name this season, but came into this one in search of their first ever victory in a national tournament match.

The early goings saw both squads generate plenty of shots, but did not yield any goals, really looking like a chess match. Cortland had the advantage in shots in the first period but were quickly stymied in the ensuing stanza. The proceedings were eventually opened by David Matousek just over seven minutes in, making it a 1-0 game for PSU. Within the next approximately three and a half minutes, Cortland’s Nate Berke would have an answer. It would be within the final ten minutes that the floodgates would really be opened, but not for offense. Instead, this game would be shaken up by a sudden burst of intensity, with the game looking like a conference rivalry. A game misconduct for one player on each team was yielded by a very intense exchange between these two squads. Cortland would also have a power play, but did not convert it, with PSU utilizing their shot suppression abilities well. We would see one more exchanging of pleasantries which resulted in matching roughing minors for PSU’s Will Pray and Cortland’s Cameron Knowlton, which would translate into a four-on-four goal by PSU’s Will Redick, as D3 hockey’s leading scorer delivered on a grand stage, just before the second frame ended.

Despite looking like they were beginning the final stanza getting overwhelmed in possession again, Cortland would draw the score level 2-2 when Colby Seitz struck one by Kalle Andersson a little over six minutes in. A few minutes later, however, Plymouth State’s lethal power play gave them back the lead, with Connor Tait putting them back ahead. Tait, assisted yet again by Redick (who had the primary apple on both of Tait’s tallies) after the latter’s empty net attempt had sailed wide but perfectly placed for his linemate to bury it, would ice the game inside the last minute. Within a matter of approximately 20 seconds, Matousek would add an insurance goal, and the mountain had finally been climbed for PSU, as they earned a historic 5-2 win.

Cortland had the best season in program history and one has to think they will have another opportunity as early as next year. Those in charge of the program and the school’s athletic department should be very optimistic about the future of the team. However, it was to be Plymouth’s night after so many heartbreaks on the national stage. They will certainly have to rise to the occasion in a week, however, when they face #2 ranked Utica (#4 in Pairwise) on the road in the quarterfinals. Perhaps head coach Craig Russell’s very well-performing, soundly structured group will answer the challenge using the confidence built by this historic achievement as a tool, while also not looking back or getting caught up in the moment.