Emery knew how dangerous it was for the Cardinals to fall behind.

"We knew Belanger could shoot the puck and we didn't want to give them the lead," he said. "We had to be prepared to win a 1-0 game. But, that goal gave them a 2-0 lead.

"Certain teams match up well with us and St. Norbert is one of them."

Perhaps the turning point in the game came later in the second stanza when St. Norbert's Pete Fylling was hit for a five-minute major for drilling Dylan Clarke from behind.

Jones and his teammates, however, were able to kill off the major, with the Cardinals managing only one shot on goal the entire time.

"We lived and died on the powerplay this season," said Emery. "Their penalty kill was great."

St. Norbert was then in position to put the contest out of reach when Plattsburgh State was called for two penalties and the Green Knights went on a five-on-three powerplay for the full two minutes late in the second.

But, the Cardinals were able hold off the Green Knights and stay in the game.

"After we killed off the major, we went on the five-on-three and had a chance to put the nail in the coffin," said St. Norbert head coach Tim Coghlin.

The frustrated Cardinals continued to try and get on the scoreboard and pulled Hince for an extra attacker with three minutes left in the third.

But, it wasn't Plattsburgh State's day.

"After watching Plattsburgh State play Elmira, I was worried," Coghlin said. "I looked at the speed of their players and the way they get all five guys involved in the play. You don't see that every day.

"But, I feel Kyle Jones is the best-ever goaltender in Division III men's hockey. We just keep finding a way. It starts with defensive responsibilities. We don't give up a lot of second and third shots."

It marked the 10th shutout of the season for Jones and the 25th of his career. The 43 goals allowed this season by St. Norbert are the fewest for any team in Division III men's hockey history.

"The shutouts are nice, but it's not comparable to bringing the trophy home," Jones said. "I try to stay calm in net and hopes it rubs off on my teammates."