PLATTSBURGH — Elmira got the better of Plattsburgh State last year, winning two of three meetings — including a second straight ECAC West championship game victory. The Soaring Eagles come into Stafford Ice Arena this weekend as defending conference champions and are ranked two spots ahead of Plattsburgh State. They were picked to win the ECAC West again this season.

The Cardinals are looking to swing the rivalry back in their favor.

"We want revenge," junior Kate Fairfield said. "I mean, two years in a row we've lost huge games to them. And we're hungry for a win against them. And two would be even better."

Plattsburgh State hosts Elmira tonight and Sunday afternoon in an early-season matchup between two bitter rivals.

Like Plattsburgh State, Elmira (3-0) lost some key players. Standout forward Kayla Coady and goaltender Allison Cubberley were both seniors last season.

The second-ranked Soaring Eagles have two freshmen in net this year. Samantha Maguire has allowed two goals in two games, and Lauren Sullivan made seven saves for a shutout against Buffalo State.

But Elmira has eight seniors on the roster and returned six of its top eight scorers. Karen Colehour currently leads the team with five assists, and Jamie Kivi has three goals.

"They lost a couple key players, but certainly if you look at what they lost compared to what we lost, we lost more numbers than they did," Plattsburgh State coach Kevin Houle said. "It should be your standard Elmira-Plattsburgh game, though. Everybody knows what's at stake, and everybody is looking forward to it."

Plattsburgh State's goalies, Mandy Mackrell and Anne Loewen, were to find out Friday who would play today, and Houle said he'll see how today's starter does before deciding who will play Sunday.

Houle said special teams will be important this weekend, and the fourth-ranked Cardinals (3-0) are also focused on forechecking.

"We gotta do a good job on the forecheck and play the game in their end, keep them in their end and not the other way around," Houle said. "Last time we played them, they spent too much time in our end and we didn't do a good job on the forecheck."

While this is just the second week of the Cardinals' season, they know it could be crucial to their conference title hopes. The ECAC West race is typically decided by just a few points, with the Cardinals and Soaring Eagles always right in the hunt.

"Elmira and RIT always are our biggest games. We live to play those games," Fairfield said. "You're always thinking about standings and stuff. But you just focus on the game at hand."

After opening against Chatham, this weekend will be the Cardinals' first major challenge. Houle expects to learn some things about his team.

"I would guess that both teams are probably feeling the same way, as far as where you stand," he said. "You're going to find out early this year. I think we had a good weekend at Chatham, and I think we've had a good start to our season.

"But this will be the true test."

E-mail Courtney Lewis at: clewis@pressrepublican.com