ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Home ice for the 2017 ECAC West Conference Tournament will be up for grabs this weekend, as fourth-ranked Elmira College women's ice hockey travels to the Stafford Ice Arena to face the top-ranked Cardinals of Plattsburgh State. The two feathered foes renew their rivalry this Saturday, February 11th, at 3:00 p.m., before wrapping up the regular season series the following afternoon at 3:00 p.m.
 
LAST TIME OUT: Elmira extended its unbeaten streak to 10 consecutive games last weekend with a 1-0-1 showing at the Murray Athletic Center against No. 7/8 Oswego State. The Soaring Eagles scored a 4-0 shutout victory over the Lakers behind a career-high 36-save performance from Kelcey Crawford '18 to open the series. Then in the series finale, EC erased a two-goal first-period deficit to salvage a 2-2 overtime tie. Sarah Hughson '18 had a standout weekend for the Purple and Gold, as the junior forward scored a pair of goals and assisted on another. Hughson scored the game-winner in EC's four-goal win on Friday night and knocked in the game-tying goal, one that came on an EC power play, the following Saturday.
 
SCOUTING PLATTSBURGH: The top-ranked Cardinals boast an intimidating 20-1-0 overall record and a 13-1-0 mark in ECAC West play with the lone blemish on its schedule being a 3-2 loss to Oswego State back on November 20th. Since that midseason loss, Plattsburgh has rattled of 14 consecutive wins, six coming in the form of shutouts. Plattsburgh boasts the country's second-ranked scoring offense (4.86 gpg) and defense (1.05 gpg), led by AHCA All-Americans Kayla Meneghin and Melissa Sheeran. The duo has combined for 70 points on 39 goals and 31 assists, as Sheeran leads the country in scoring with 23 goals and a 1.15 goals per game average, while Meneghin ranks inside the top-15 in both goals per game (0.76) and assists per game (0.95). Camille Leonard has been Plattsburgh's top choice between the pipes and enters the weekend tied for the most wins in Division III women's ice hockey (17).  
 
PLAYOFF PICTURE: Elmira and Plattsburgh are tied atop the ECAC West standings with 26 league points. However, according to the conference tiebreaker rules, Plattsburgh's 13 conference wins would give the Cardinals the top seed in the tournament due to EC's 12-0-2 record – league tiebreaker rules state the first criteria is head-to-head results, followed by the number of league wins.
 
Elmira Sweeps Plattsburgh
Two wins by the Soaring Eagles against Plattsburgh would put Elmira in the driver's seat to host a semifinal game and the championship game, barring a weekend sweep to SUNY Potsdam in the regular-season series finale.

Elmira Beats & Ties Plattsburgh
This scenario would give the Purple and Gold 29 league points, leaving Plattsburgh with 27. Elmira would once again control its own fate in the last weekend of the regular season against Potsdam, as two wins or a win and a tie against the Bears would award EC home ice throughout the playoffs.  
 
Elmira Splits with Plattsburgh
A series split would keep the two teams tied with 28 league points, but again, the tiebreaker would place the Cardinals above the Soaring Eagles, granting Plattsburgh home ice throughout the tournament.
 
Plattsburgh Sweeps Elmira
A series sweep for the top-ranked Cardinals would give them 30 league points and guarantee home ice for Plattsburgh throughout the year-end tournament. In this scenario, Elmira would need just one win against Potsdam in the final two games of the season or one Plattsburgh win over third-place Buffalo State during that same weekend to clinch the No. 2 seed, as well as hosting rights for a semifinal game on February 26th
 
Elmira and Plattsburgh Tie Both Games
This scenario would keep the league standings essentially unchanged, with Plattsburgh still in the best position to host a semifinal and championship game.
 
LOOKING AHEAD: Elmira concludes the regular season next weekend with a two-game set against SUNY Potsdam at the Murray Athletic Center. EC opens the series on Saturday, February 18th, at 3:00 p.m., before concluding the regular season the following afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Sunday's contest will also serve as Class of 2017 Recognition Day, as the Soaring Eagles will honor its five graduating seniors.