The Cortland Men’s Club ice hockey team is gearing up for a showdown as they head to the playoffs of the AAU league in Niagara Falls. Set to face off against the Niagara Falls Purple Eagles on Friday, the Cortland team travels west for this conference playoff.
With the playoffs looming, Cortland finds itself in the field alongside the University of Buffalo, Cornell, Bonaventure, and Binghamton. It’s a challenging lineup, but Cortland has shown its mettle throughout the season by beating top-ranked teams such as Farmingdale (5-4) and Bonaventure (5-4).
As they prepare to take on the Purple Eagles, Cortland’s players are honing their skills and fine-tuning their strategies by practicing hard together as a team. The team’s captain Zach Micholas knows that every pass, every shot, and every defensive play will count in this high-stakes matchup.
“It will become a battle for sure! We are ready and will bring our A-game for this tournament”, said Micholas.
Key players like Captain Micholas and club president Holden Sarosy will be crucial to Cortland’s success on the ice. Micholas’ leadership both on and off the rink has been instrumental in guiding the team through the ups and downs of the season. Sarosy’s impressive twelve goals and thirteen assists have kept Cortland competitive in even the toughest games.
Cortland’s strength lies not only in its players but also in its cohesive teamwork. Throughout the season, the team has built a strong sense of spirit which has helped them overcome teams such as sixth-ranked Farmingdale and third-ranked Bonaventure in style.
“We work well as a group which is mirrored on the ice. As the president, I try to arrange a few gatherings with my team so we can hang out and bond together,” said Sarosy.
Facing Niagara Falls will be no easy task. The Purple Eagles boast a talented roster and a strong second place in the rankings for the upcoming national tournament in Westchester, Pennsylvania. The conference tournament looks even tougher for Cortland as they are in sixth place. Niagara Falls is in the first spot with eighteen games won and only one loss.
Coach Jarrett Dulemba has been pushing the team to their limits, instilling discipline and a winning mindset that will serve them well in the playoffs.
“Our game hasn’t been the greatest as of lately,” said Dulemba. “We lost against our rivals Cornell which still feels sour. I think we are going to need something extra for the weekend. The team and I have to create a winning mentality that no team could break.”
The extra bitterness after the defeat to rivals Cornell does not come as a surprise after last year’s nerve-wracking game between the two in the playoffs. That meeting went to overtime after Cornell successfully came back from 3-1 down to win it in overtime 4-3 and qualify for last year’s playoffs in Watertown.