Men's Ice Hockey | 2/10/2018 8:24:00 PM

BOXSCORE PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -- Plattsburgh scored twice in a span of 19 seconds Saturday in its 4-2 SUNYAC men's hockey win over Fredonia. The loss dealt the Blue Devils a heavy blow to their playoff chances.

Jesse Neher put the Cardinals on top and Rich McCartney added to the lead. A successful penalty shot by Fredonia's Colin Valentine (Turnersville, N.J.) pulled the Blue Devils within one before Ayrton Valente scored into an empty net in the final minute.

Ryan Dunner (Glassboro, N.J.) had Fredonia's first goal on which Valentine also picked up an assist for a two-point game.

The loss was costly to the Blue Devils, who started the night in a four-way fight for the last two playoff spots. The fell one point behind both the Cardinals and Potsdam for the fourth and fifth spots and stayed tied with Brockport for the sixth spot with one game in hand.

Fredonia entertains Morrisville next Friday and Saturday to close out the regular season.

After a scoreless first period, Dunner scored his first collegiate goal at 11:33 of the second period to put Fredonia on top 1-0. The scoring play began in the defensive end with a breakout by Valentine. Dunner received a pass from Valentine in the center of the ice and scored from the high slot. Sam Wilbur (Saginaw, Mich.) was credited with the secondary assist.

A power-play goal by Plattsburgh's Rich McCartney evened things up at the 16:39 mark. Following a stop by Anton Rosen (Orsa, Sweden) on a shot from the point, McCartney banged home the rebound for his 16th goal of the season.

The third period started with the teams tied 1-1 but it didn't stay that way long. Neher beat Rosen from the slot after the Blue Devils had trouble clearing the zone. Plattsburgh won the ensuing faceoff and McCartney circled through the zone before putting the puck off a Fredonia defender and into the goal for his second goal of the night and 17th of the year. It proved to be the game-winner.