PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Opening the 2026 portion of the season at the Comfort Inn Complex Winter Classic, the Wesleyan men's ice hockey team was led by Danny Markham '28 securing a goal in a 3-1 non-conference loss to Plattsburgh State on Friday evening. The tournament, hosted by Plattsburgh State, also saw competition from Amherst College and Suffolk University at the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena.

Plattsburgh was quick to get underway, scoring with less than five minutes of action played from the opening puck drop. Mike English was credited with the goal, leaving Plattsburgh to play out the remaining minutes of the first period with a leg up on the Cardinals. The Cardinals recorded 12 shots on Plattsburgh goaltender Brady Spry before entering the second.

Holding the lead late into the second period, Plattsburgh saw their lead cut as Markham scored the game-tying goal with three minutes to spare. Driving the rush down the far boards, Markham directed the puck deep into the Plattsburgh defense, centering his pass to Jack Marottolo '26 closing in behind him. Marottolo re-directed back to Markham at the right post, Markham taking an initial shove at the puck before Spry forced the rebound shot and goal at the opposite post. Plattsburgh was undeterred and scored with 10 seconds on the clock, the goal going to Aaron Catron.

The third period tilted in Plattsburgh favor, outshooting the Cardinals before another late tally finished the game, Gabriel Filion with the goal.

The Cardinals defense killed six penalties, deterring Plattsburgh despite the extra attacker. Marottolo finished with four shots on goal.

In goal for the Cardinals, Patrick McDevitt '28 finished with 38 saves on the evening. In the opposite goal, Spry earned the win by making 22 saves.

The Cardinals will face Suffolk on Saturday, Jan. 3, with action beginning at 3:30 pm. Amherst will face Plattsburgh after defeating Suffolk in overtime.