Knights and Falcons Skate to 2-2 Draw

Ville Runola makes one of his 27 saves, while defenseman James de Haas clears out a BGSU forward - photo by Mike Tansey

Box Score
Sophomore goaltender Ville Runola (Raisio, Finland) posted 27 saves and senior Joe Zarbo (Grand Island, NY) and freshman Nic Pierog (Georgetown, ONT) both tallied a goal in the Clarkson University's Hockey team's 2-2 tie with Bowling Green State University in non-league action before 2,592 fans at Cheel Arena Friday night.

The Golden Knights, from ECAC Hockey, and the Falcons from the WCHA, will battle again on Saturday in a 7:30 p.m. game at Cheel. Clarkson stands at 2-2-1 while Bowling Green extended its unbeaten streak to three games (2-0-1) to improve to 3-1-1.

Audio Head Coach Casey Jones postgame

In a fast-paced, penalty-free first period, which set the tone for the game, both teams had excellent scoring opportunities with the Knights making the most of one of their early chances to grab the initial lead. Pierog put Clarkson on the scoreboard first, finishing off a passing combination from linemates, junior Todd Christian (Norwalk, CT) and sophomore Troy Josephs (Whitby, ONT) when he lifted in a shot from the top of the crease just under the crossbar at 4:43 for his second collegiate goal.

The Falcons outshot the Green and Gold 11-5 in the period, but Runola, in his third career start and first appearance in the Clarkson goal since February 7, kept the visitors off the scoreboard with a strong effort.

Bowling Green got on the scoreboard early in the second when Kevin Dufour tallied his nation-high seventh goal of the season when he picked up his own rebound at the bottom of the right circle and was able to tuck a shot behind Runola at 2:29.

Clarkson regained the lead just over two minutes later. Zarbo worked the puck along the right boards in the Falcons' end and skated behind the net where he swung in a wrap-around shot at 4:35 for his second goal of the season. Junior Jeff DiNallo (Aurora, ONT) and Christian, with his career-high second assist of the game, set up the goal.

Audio Joe Zarbo Goal

The Falcons tied it once again when Mitchell McLain scored off his own rebound at 11:31 to make the game 2-2 after 40 minutes.

Clarkson outshot BGSU 8-6 in the third and 4-2 in overtime, but could not come up with the go-ahead goal.

Runola had one of his biggest stops late in the game when he denied the Falcons on a breakaway.

Audio Runola save

The Falcons held a 29-27 advantage in shots. Tommy Burke finished with 25 saves for Bowling Green.

The Knights were 0-of-2 on the power play and killed off the visitors' lone man-advantage opportunity.

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