PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Senior Douglas Elgstam (Stockholm, Sweden/New Jersey Rockets) recorded his first career hat trick as the Cortland men's hockey team defeated Plattsburgh, 5-4, Saturday night in SUNYAC action to move into playoff position in the conference. The Red Dragons improved to 10-8-1 overall and 5-7 in the conference. The Cardinals fell to 6-11-3 and 3-6-2.

Senior Stefano Alonzi (King City, ON/Burlington Cougars) and sophomore Shane Beaulieu (Claremont, ON/Powassan VooDoos) added goals for Cortland. Senior Sean Perichak (Oakville, ON/Markham Royals), junior Alex Storjohann (Phoenix, AZ/Kirkland Lake) and freshman Giancarlo Romano (Briarcliff Manor/Connecticut RoughRiders) each recorded two assists, and sophomore Jacob Gaydos (Sandusky, OH/Wisconsin Rapid Riverkings) and freshmen Trevor Veneklase (Brentwood, TN/Seahawks Hockey Club) and Luca Esposito (Bolton, ON/Markham Royals) collected one assist apiece. Senior goalie Nick Modica (Suffern/New Jersey Hitmen) turned aside 47 shots.

Cullen Kane scored twice for Plattsburgh. Brendan Young tallied a goal and an assist, Andrew Pizzo netted a goal, Brendan Schulte registered two assists and four others chipped in with one assist apiece for the Cardinals. Jimmy Poreda started in goal, making three saves in the first period. Brandon Wells stopped 17 shots over the final two periods.

Elgstam gave the Red Dragons a 2-0 lead after the first period with even-strength goals at 3:18 and 7:42. Beaulieu made it a 3-0 game with a power-play goal at 12:44 of the second period before Plattsburgh pulled to within 3-2 on a goal from Young at 13:25 and a power-play goal by Kane at 16:02.

Elgstam completed his hat trick at 2:28 of the third period, and the Red Dragons held a 4-2 lead through the first half of the period. Kane's second goal at 11:24 made it a 4-3 game, and Pizzo scored just 12 seconds later to tie the score. Alonzi netted the game winner with a long shot that eluded Wells at 15:53. Plattsburgh pulled Wells with 1:46 remaining but could not score the equalizer as the Red Dragons earned their first win at Plattsburgh since 2011.

Cortland 5, Plattsburgh 4

Score by periods:
Cortland                    2-1-2       5
Plattsburgh                0-2-2      4

Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists)
Cortland: Douglas Elgstam 3-0, Shane Beaulieu 1-0, Stefano Alonzi 1-0, Alex Storjohann 0-2, Sean Perichak 0-2, Giancarlo Romano 0-2, Jacob Gaydos 0-1, Trevor Veneklase 0-1, Luca Esposito 0-1
Plattsburgh: Cullen Kane 2-0, Brendan Young 1-1, Andrew Pizzo 1-0, Brendan Schulte 0-2, Hunter Alden 0-1, Joe Drabin 0-1, Matt Araujo 0-1, Jake Sutton 0-1

Saves: Nick Modica (Cortland) 47 saves (4 GA in 60:00); Jimmy Poreda (Plattsburgh) 3 saves (2 GA in 20:00), Brandon Wells (Plattsburgh) 17 saves (3 GA in 38:14), Empty Net 1:46
Shots on Goal: Plattsburgh 51 (15-18-18), Cortland 25 (5-8-12)
Penalties: Cortland 4-8:00, Plattsburgh 4-8:00
Power Play: Cortland 1-4, Plattsburgh 1-4

Records after game: Cortland (Red Dragons) 10-8-1, 5-7 SUNYAC; Plattsburgh (Cardinals) 6-11-3, 3-6-2 SUNYAC