PLATTSBURGH -- The Plattsburgh State men's hockey team enjoyed a successful start to its 2008-09 season with a 6-3 win over Elmira College last weekend at newly renovated Stafford Ice Arena.

The defending champion Cardinals now jump right into State University of New York Athletic Conference play this weekend, hosting Fredonia tonight at 7 p.m. and then Buffalo State on Saturday night at 7 p.m.

"The Elmira game was an important win for us last weekend," said Plattsburgh State head coach Bob Emery. "But, our SUNYAC games are way more important.

"Both Fredonia and Buffalo State opened their seasons a week before we did and they have more games under their belts, just like Elmira did. Hopefully, both teams will come in and try and play with us."

Fredonia is off to a 2-1-1 start to the season.

The Blue Devils opened the campaign in the SUNYAC Challenge held in Cortland. Fredonia dropped a 5-2 decision to Cortland and then skated to a 2-1 win over Buffalo State.

The Blue Devils then traveled to Utica College last weekend where they recorded a 3-all tie and then a 2-1 victory over the hosts.

"Fredonia has beaten us the last two times they have played at our rink," Emery said. "They play us tough here. They are a really good defensive team. And, to beat a team like that, you have to play good defensive hockey as well as offensively."

Buffalo State, meanwhile, brings a 1-3 record into the weekend.

The Bengals also competed in the SUNYAC Challenge when they fell by a 2-1 score to Geneseo and then 2-1 to Fredonia.

Buffalo State then played a home-and-home last weekend with Hobart, who Plattsburgh State defeated, 5-2, in last year's NCAA Tournament Division III quarterfinals at the Stafford Ice Arena, and posted a 4-0 home win before dropping a 5-3 setback the following day.

"These early SUNYAC games at our place are even more important to win because we still have to go to their barn later on," Emery said.

Emery, for the most part, liked what he saw from his team last weekend against Elmira.

"Overall, I was pretty happy," he said. "Elmira already had two games under its belt.

"I thought our penalty killing was good and we played with a lot of emotion. We played Cardinal hockey where we worked hard to go along with our talent. The freshmen who played did real well and there were some good signs. Everyone is going to get their chance to play.