PLATTSBURGH, NY--Despite two goals and two assists by Sean Burke (Barrie, ON/St. Peter's), Buffalo State (11-13-1) fell to host Plattsburgh (15-10-1), 5-4, in the opening game of the SUNYAC Quarterfinals tonight at Stafford Arena.

Plattsburgh never trailed, opening the scoring midway through the first period. Buffalo State responded just minutes later as Jason Hill (Niagara Falls/Niagara Falls) banged home a rebound after Burke rifled a shot off of the goal post. The Cardinals scored again later in the opening frame, only to have Greg Prybylski (Cheektowaga/Cheektowaga) even the score on the power play before the intermission.

Plattsburgh scored the lone goal of the second period, but Buffalo State pulled even again at 3-3 on a Burke deflection on the power play in the opening minute of the third period. After a pair of quick goals by Plattsburgh seemed to steal the momentum back for the Cardinals, Buffalo State responded again with Burke's second of the game with just under six minutes remaining. Despite applying pressure in the final minute, the Bengals were unable to even the score and force overtime.

Plattsburgh held a 31-29 advantage in shots on goal. Sean Sheehan (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) made 26 saves for the Bengals.

Buffalo State and Plattsburgh will square off again tomorrow at 7 p.m. for the final game of the two-game series. If Buffalo State wins, the teams will then play a 20-minute mini-game to determine a winner.