Potsdam, NY – Senior captain Mac Faulkner (King City, ONT) scored two goals to lead Clarkson University past Niagara University, 4-3, before 2,692 fans at Cheel Arena Saturday night. As Faulkner goes, so go the Golden Knights, who are 18-0-2 when the center scores a goal.
Clarkson got on the scoreboard first when Faulkner tipped in a shot from the point by freshman defenseman Grant Clitsome (Gloucester, ONT) for his third goal of the season, a 5-on-3 power-play marker at 7:46. Senior Chris Blight (Cambridge, ONT) also assisted. Niagara came right back with its own 5-on-3 goal with defenseman Pat Oliveto’s shot form the top of the right circle finding its way through a screen in front of Clarkson freshman goaltender David Leggio (Buffalo, NY) at 10:15.
With 2:47 left in the second, freshman center Steve Zalewski (New Hartford, NY) put the Knights on top 2-1 after he won a face off deep in the Niagara zone, slipped a check and lifted in a shot under the crossbar for his second goal of the year. The Purple Eagles fought back to tie taking advantage of a failed Clarkson clearing attempt. Justin Cross tallied his first goal of the season with 56 seconds remaining in the middle frame, knocking in a rebound off Barret Ehgoetz’s shot from in close.
Clarkson took a 4-2 lead midway through the third period. Sophomore Brodie Rutherglen (Trail, BC) finished off a give-and-go from linemate, senior assistant captain Jay Latulippe (Saratoga Springs, NY) with a high shot over the glove hand of Niagara goaltender, Jeff Van Nynatten just 43 seconds in. Freshman Shawn Weller (South Glens Falls, NY) also assisted. At 10:49, Faulkner picked up a loose puck at center ice and skated in for a breakaway shorthanded goal, lifting in a backhand shot for his fourth goal of the season. Cross pulled the Purple Eagles within one with his second goal of the game with 1:27 left. Niagara pulled Van Nynatten for the extra skater with 75 seconds remaining, but Clarkson held off the late charge to gain its second win of the season.
The Purple Eagles out shot the Knights, 28-25. Leggio, who has been in goal for both Clarkson wins, finished with 25 saves, including 12 over the final 20 minutes. Van Nynatten made 21 stops for Niagara. The Knights were 1-of-5 on the power play, while the Purple Eagles went 1-of-8 with the man-advantage.
Niagara of College Hockey America, which falls to 3-4, closes out its eight-game road trip next weekend with two games at Western Michigan. Clarkson, at 2-4, opens ECACHL play next weekend playing at Rensselaer and Union.
