SUNY Plattsburgh hosts their annual tournament this weekend with Wilkes University, Univ. New England, & Wentworth. (Photo by Nathanael LePage / @lepagesports)
As the tournament season continues, this week we have the annual Comfort Inn Complex Winter Classic hosted by SUNY Plattsburgh. The teams that will be featured are #15 Univ. New England (7-5-1), Wentworth Institute of Technology (4-7-2), and #10 Wilkes University (9-3-0). The games take place this Saturday and Sunday at the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena under the following schedule;
Saturday – January 10, 2025
#10 Wilkes vs #15 Univ. New England – 4pm ET
Wentworth @ Plattsburgh – 7:30pm ET
Sunday – January 11, 2025
3rd place game – 1:30pm ET
Championship game – 5pm ET
Interesting developments:
Just recently, SUNY Plattsburgh, the reigning SUNYAC Rookie of the year Tio D’Addario transferred to Utica University during the winter break transfer portal, but also, Plattsburgh got a Pioneer as well, so you could call it a trade, the Cardinals picked up Vlad Pshenichnikov. Pshenichnikov has already suited up for the Cardinals and has recorded one assist. Overall, this season he has 7 points in 10 games, so look for him to attempt to turn things up during the second half in this tournament.
For UNE, this is not their first tournament of the season, they went to the Utica Thanksgiving Showcase and faced the host Utica, losing in an instant classic 6-5. Then, they proceeded to tie Oswego in the consolation game. To add on, UNE just dropped their last game 3-4 to Colby and have a record of 1-4 against ranked teams, with their only ranked-win coming against Curry College, they’ll be tested this weekend against Wilkes who’s also had their struggles against ranked opponents.
Speaking of being tested, this weekend will a test for Wilkes University. They come into this event ranked #10, but the ranked-competitors that they’ve faced, they’ve lost to. Thus far, they faced #2 Geneseo & #9 Cortland, they lost 5-2 & 3-2 respectively. Junior Patrick Roginski is the player to keep your eye on when he is on the ice. He leads the Colonels in all statistical categories. He currently has 5 points in his last 3 games.
Finally, for Wentworth they’re a typical Plattsburgh opponent in this event as the Cardinals are the heavy favorites. Wentworth’s looking to get their first win against Plattsburgh as they’re 0-5 against the Cardinals all-time. The Leopards only have one win in their last five games. If they want a chance to make their first NCAA tournament since 2023 under former Head Coach R.J. Tolan, now at Endicott College, they have to pull a full 180 in order to win the CNE (Formally CCC). Freshman George Kolovos is a standout player who should make a difference as he leads the team in goals with 5 and has 5 assists on the year, he also has 5 points in his last 3.
This is the only mens D-III tournament this weekend, games start at 4PM where Wilkes University faces off against Univ. New England in a sweet ranked matchup.
