PLATTSBURGH -- The Williams College men's hockey team played in the Cardinal Classic a month ago.

Since then, the Ephs have been on a roll with a 7-1-2 overall record.

Williams (11-4-2 overall, 9-2-2 NESCAC) will provide the opposition for Plattsburgh State tonight at 7 p.m. in non-conference action at the Stafford Ice Arena.

Williams did not play Plattsburgh State in the Cardinal Classic, dropping a 1-0 overtime decision to Castleton State in the opening round before skating to a 2-0 win over Wesleyan in the third-place contest.

Plattsburgh State head coach Bob Emery figures the Cardinals are in for a battle tonight.

"They are one of the most improved teams in Division III hockey and are coming off a solid week," he said. "They know us well, are well-coached and we're going to have our work cut out for us."

This past weekend, the Ephs ran their winning streak to four games with home wins over Trinity (3-2), which defeated Middlebury on Saturday, and Wesleyan (6-0).

Williams, which is unbeaten at home (7-0-1) has also played a 4-all overtime tie at Middlebury College and shut out Skidmore, 4-0, which handed Plattsburgh State its' lone loss to this point.

Williams has eight players with 10 points or more, led by sophomore forward Matt Masucci (5-9-14), junior forward Alex Smigelski (8-5-13) and sophomore forward Ryan Young (6-6-12).

But, where the Ephs are more impressive is on defense. Williams has given up two goals or less in 11 of their 17 games and has recorded three shutouts. The Ephs have surrendered a combined five goals in their last four games.

Freshman goaltender Ryan Purdy is unbeaten between the pipes for Williams with a 6-0-0 record and a sparkling 1.43 goals-against-averge. Junior Marc Pulde (5-4-2, 3.11 gaa) has played in 11 games.

"They key is that they have great goaltending," Emery said. "They will be prepared to play us.

"It would be a big win for us to get. But, we will need to play well in order to do so."

The top-ranked Cardinals are coming off Saturday's 5-0 home win over Morrisville where they scored four goals in the third period to break it open. Dylan Clarke scored two goals and Chris Molinaro was in net for the shutout.

The Cardinals have eight players with 13 points or more and four with 22 or better -- Clarke (13-16-29), Phil Farrow (8-18-26), Joey Wilson (15-9-24) and Eric Satim (9-13-22).