Filighera previews conference FINAL vs. Plattsburgh

PUCK DROP: 3 PM, Sat. 3/2, Plattsburgh

Dragons to appear in SUNYAC Final

PICTURED: Cortland Head Coach Rick Filighera prepares in his office

CORTLAND, NY — The Red Dragons are no strangers to playoff pressure. On Saturday, Cortland will compete in the conference championship for the fourth time in five seasons. Head Coach Rick Filighera is expecting a close game against Plattsburgh.

“We know it’s going to be nip and tuck,” he said. “It’s really going to come down to us having composure, us executing on our penalty kills, and hopefully we’ll score a few more goals than them.”

To come out on top, the Dragons will have to dim Plattsburgh’s star forward Julia Massotta. The grad student has 36 points in 26 games this season. Filighera says he trusts his players to limit Massotta’s scoring chances.

“We play a very aggressive defensive zone coverage, so to control her, everybody’s got to do their job.”

Filighera believes the Dragons are playing their best hockey of the season. The team has lost just two games since early December.

“I like where we’re at,” he said. “I just feel good about this game.”