PLATTSBURGH -- It's one of the best rivalries in NCAA Division III men's hockey.

And, as usual, the stakes are high.

Plattsburgh State and Oswego, currently No. 1 and 2, respectively, in the State University of New York Athletic Conference regular season standings, get together at 7 p.m. tonight at the Stafford Ice Arena.

The Cardinals (16-2, 9-0, who finished the first half of the season unbeaten in SUNYAC play, will be looking to take a five-point lead over the Lakers in the standings with six conference games to go after tonight.

Oswego, meanwhile, will be looking to pull to within one point of the Cardinals and make it that much more interesting down the stretch.

"It's exciting to get back to league play," said Plattsburgh State head coach Bob Emery. "And, against our rival and defending NCAA Division III champions.

"Oswego is well coached and they will come in here with a lot of energy. We're going to have our hands full."

You can bet the Lakers haven't forgotten their 4-2 loss at home to Plattsburgh State on Nov. 2.

"They are going to come right at us," Emery said. "They are very dangerous offensively, especially on the powerplay, and are capable of putting up big numbers. Their forwards are as good as anyone's in the country."

Emery said it's important for the Cardinals to play their game.

"We have to do what we do well very good in this game," he said.

Oswego is being led in scoring by three junior forwards -- Ryan Ellis (12-11-23), Peter Magagna (6-12-18) and Brendan McLaughlin (7-9-16).

Senior starter Ryan Scott is 8-4-1, with a 2.13 goals-against-average between the pipes for the Lakers, and junior Chris Hyk, 3-0-1, with a 2.53 gaa.

Oswego is coming off a 9-1 non-conference home victory over Morrisville State on Tuesday.

Leading the Cardinals in scoring are freshman forward Dylan Clarke (14-10-24), junior forward Riley Hill (11-12-23), freshman forward Eric Satim (6-14-20) and sophomore forward Joey Wilson (5-15-20). Junior defenseman Nick Rolls has scored 10 goals.