SUNYAC picks: Jan. 25

How do you like your hockey action? Piping hot? If so, you should probably head to a SUNYAC rink, where on almost all fronts, heated contests with playoff implications will be staged. Who doesn’t love it when the top two teams in the conference hook up? Or when a pair of desperately playoff-hungry squads collide? Both scenarios will be played out this weekend at an ice sheet (perhaps) near you.
Friday, Jan. 25
Potsdam at Plattsburgh
It’s always interesting when this North Country rivalry is renewed. Both teams need to win, as Potsdam needs the points and No. 9 Plattsburgh needs to keep pace with the teams above it, Oswego and Geneseo (more on those two in a moment). The Cardinals are playing well at present, and should keep the upper hand. Plattsburgh 5-3
Saturday, Jan. 26
Geneseo at Oswego
Should be the game of the week, as surprising Genny holds a slim one-point lead over the Lakers for the SUNYAC lead. Oswego, ranked No. 4 in the country, slaughtered the Knights, 10-1, back in November, but Geneseo hasn’t lost a conference game since and is brimming with confidence. Plus the Knights have senior netminder Adrian Rubeniuk back from injury. Meanwhile, the Lakers keep humming along. The guess here is that they will continue to do just that. Oswego 4-2
Brockport at Cortland
Neither team can afford to give away two points. Games like this often come down to home ice, which should put this one in the Red Dragons’ corner. Cortland 3-1