LAKE PLACID — A competitive Champlain Valley Athletic Conference boys' hockey season is down to its final leg, as Plattsburgh High School and Saranac are slated for the Section VII Divison II championship game at Lake Placid's '32 Olympic Rink tonight at 7 p.m.

Plattsburgh, which enters the game after winning at home against Beekmantown Tuesday, got to the final behind consistent end-of-the-season play that set the Hornets up for a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Hornets head coach Jamie Reidy said his team's season was a series of "building blocks."

"Right from the start, we approached this from scratch and to build as we go," he said. "We're playing well right now, and it's not a surprise to me. We've put the work in to get to where we are."

Saranac, which took a different route in the playoffs, won two post-season road games in overtime against Saranac Lake and Northeastern Clinton to secure its spot in the championship game.

"We're playing some of our best hockey right now, so the timing is right," Saranac head coach Trevor Cameron.

In the teams' regular season meetings, Saranac won a 2-1 game on the road before tying Plattsburgh, 3-3, later in the year.

"The first time we played them was one of the first games of the season," Reidy said. "So I'm sure both teams have developed into their own style."

The Olympic-size rink poses a different aspect to the game than what Saranac and Plattsburgh are typically used to. Both play on standard-sized rinks, which are over 10 feet narrower in width, and shorter in length.

Bigger ice favors longer passes and allows players more room to skate outside with the puck. However, more room can also add fatigue to set in quicker.

As of late, the Hornets have been especially successful in playing three full periods — a result of consistently cycling three lines deep to prevent players from wearing down.

We're prepared for the big ice surface," Reidy said. "We're not going to change our style, which is a dump-and-chase game. We play a team game — no individuals."

Plattsburgh will need to be wary of the Chiefs' special teams in the championship game. Kalob Drollette netted a hat trick Tuesday night, including two short-handed scores.

"We definitely want to be on the plus-side on special teams," Cameron said. "I think our special teams are definitely strong. Our penalty killing has been great lately, and we been working on the powerplay."

He added that the game will simply come down to who works harder.

"The kids are really excited to play tomorrow night," he said. "It should be an exciting atmosphere."

Note: The CVAC all-star hockey team will be announced immediately following the game.