In a night filled with emotions, it was the Plattsburgh Hornets who left the Civic Center with a 5-0 win on Wednesday.

The last time the two met Plattsburgh won by an identical 5-0 score, but on Wednesday, SLP looked like a much-improved team from that Jan 5. matchup.

SLP’s senior Dariana Patterson narrowly recorded the game’s first goal on the opening shift after she stole the puck and skated right past the Hornets defenders for a one-on-one breakaway with the goalie. Patterson’s shot was shut down by a blocker save from the Plattsburgh goaltender Amelia Lebrun.

“The score doesn’t really indicate the game. Two power-play goals and probably two fluke goals. It’s maybe a two-goal game,” SLP head coach Butch Martin said. “If Dariana gets that first goal in the first shift, who knows what could have happened.”

SLP’s Tailor Whitson slides with her feet in the air after getting tripped during Wednesday’s game against Plattsburgh at the Saranac Lake Civic Center. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

Despite the quick start from SLP, the team did not produce much offense the rest of the way. The team was outshot by the Hornets 12-2 in just the first period.

Toward the end of the opening period, SLP’s netminder Kelsey McKillip made a chest save but the puck deflected right to Plattsburgh’s Amanda Vaughn to open the scoring. The goal came on the powerplay at 13:27.

Things would go south from that point on, with the Hornets tacking on two more goals in the second period. The Plattsburgh goals were scored by Ava Perry and Abby Phillips.

Even though the Hornets seemingly controlled the game, SLP still saw multiple scoring opportunities, including a shot from Brooklynn Shumway that went through the crease and behind the goalie to the opposite side of the rink. The puck went toward the stick of Whitney Warner and required two Plattsburgh defenders to knock the puck away.

In the final period, the Hornets scored twice. Plattsburgh’s Tekla Fine-Lease and Vaughn were credited with the final two goals.

SLP’s Tailor Whitson goes airborne after getting tripped during Wednesday’s game against Plattsburgh at the Saranac Lake Civic Center. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

Despite allowing five goals, SLP’s McKillip was a rock in net shutting down 34 shots, while Plattsburgh’s Lebrun earned the shutout with 15 saves.

Martin credited the play of his seniors in their final regular-season game at home. The seniors included Dariana Patterson, Danaya Patterson, Logyn Sousa, Faith Warner and Tailor Whitson. SLP’s other senior Sydney Dann, a typical starter, was out for Wednesday’s game.

“These seniors have been here from the combination for a long time,” Martin said. “They have really led this team and the young girls. You could see tonight like Marley Logan and Whitney Warner as freshman held their own out there and it’s through that leadership of our senior gang that they can do that.”

With the loss, the SLP girls fall to 2-10-1 on the season. The team will play their final regular-season game against the Beekmantown Eagles today at 5:15 p.m. SLP previously defeated Beekmantown 4-3 in overtime on Jan. 13.

“The big thing is we improved after our last game up in Malone 100%,” Martin said. “Our goal is to get into Beekmantown, so we end up third. I think if they play like that out there then we’ll be okay.”