PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – In a battle that left little room for errors, the Plattsburgh State men’s hockey team came out on top, defeating the nationally-ranked No. 1 Norwich Cadets, 3-2, to claim the 2010 PrimeLink Great Northern ShootOut Championship.  The Cardinals improve to 5-4-0.  The loss is the first of the year for the Cadets, who drop to 3-1-0.

Following a scoreless first period, Eric Satim netted his fourth of the year at 2:04 of the second period to put Plattsburgh on the board.  The Cardinals’ lead was short-lived, as Norwich retaliated with an unassisted goal from Matt McCann just 19 seconds later.

Plattsburgh attempted to clear the puck about eight minutes into the third period, but the puck found its way to Norwich’s Tim Houston.  Houston took a shot that went behind Plattsburgh goaltender Josh Leis and found the back of the net, giving the Cadets a 2-1 lead midway through the third.

The Cardinals did not back down, as freshman Nick Jensen took a feed from Kyle Kudroch to tie the game.  Ryan Corry was also credited with an assist on the power-play goal.

With momentum on Plattsburgh’s side, Matt Bessing scored the game-winner a minute and ten seconds later.  

The Cardinals held a slight edge in shots, 32-28.  Leis recorded 26 saves in his fourth win this season.  Norwich goalie Alex Dubois had 29 stops.

Satim was named Tournament MVP, while Plattsburgh Barry Roytman earned the Outstanding Rookie award.  Leis and Patrick Jobb were named to the PrimeLink ShootOut All-Tournament Team.  Chad Anderson and Shawn Baker of Norwich and Tucker Donahoe of Middlebury rounded out the 2010 All-Tournament Team.

This marks the third time Plattsburgh has won the ShootOut title and its first since 2007.