Potsdam, NY – Junior Mac Faulkner (King City, ONT) scored two power-play goals and senior Dan Weinrieb (Amherst, NY) posted 25 saves in his first career start to lead Clarkson University to a 4-1 victory over Sacred Heart in non-conference action before 2,288 fans at Cheel Arena Saturday night. The Golden Knights, who own a three-game unbeaten streak (2-0-1), improved their record to 3-1-2, while the Pioneers fall to 0-4
After a sloppy, scoreless first period, Clarkson wasted little time taking command to start the second stanza with a pair of short-handed goals 40 second apart. Junior Chris Blight (Cambridge, MA) took a pass from freshman defenseman Matt Nickerson (Old Lyme, CT) at his own blueline, skated through the Sacred Heart defense and scored on a shot from the top of the slot 45 seconds into the middle frame for his fourth goal of the year and second shorthanded marker of the season. At 1:25, senior co-captain Tristan Lush (North Andover, MA) converted for a man-down goal off assists from fellow co-captain, senior Rob McFeeters (Woodville, ONT) and sophomore defenseman Chris Brekelmans (London, ONT). The Pioneers cut the Clarkson lead to 2-1 when Marc-Andre Fournier tipped in a shot from the point by defenseman Konn Hawkes for a power-play goal at 13:44, snapping the Knights’ string of successful penalty-kills at 15.
Clarkson regained the two-goal advantage 50 seconds into the third period as Faulkner knocked in a rebound at the top of the crease as Clarkson was skating on a 5-on-3 power play. Faulkner connected for his second power-play marker and team-high fifth goal of the season at 6:00. Nickerson picked up his third assists of the game on the goal.
Clarkson outshot Sacred Heart 32-26. The Knights were 2-of-7 on the power play, while Sacred Heart was 1-of-9 with the man-advantage.
Clarkson opens the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) campaign next weekend hosting Rensselaer and Union College.
