A two-goal effort from sophomore Shawn Weller (South Glens Falls, NY), solid goaltending from classmate David Leggio (Williamsville, NY) with a career-high 41 saves, and strong specialty teams play highlighted Clarkson University’s 5-2 victory over Providence College before 2,491 fans in the Golden Knights’ home opener at Cheel Arena Friday night.
Clarkson, which posted its second straight 5-2 victory, improved to 2-1, while the Friars start off their season 0-1.
Just 56 seconds after the starting face off, it looked to be Providence’s night as they opened the scoring. Colin McDonald forced a turnover behind the Clarkson goal, gathered in a loose puck and sent a quick pass out front where classmate Chase Watson one-timed a shot from the bottom of the right circle for his 12th career goal. The Golden Knights tied it up at 7:27 when sophomore Nick Dodge (Oakville, ONT) knocked in a rebound from the left side while on the power play for his second goal of the season with junior Mike Sullivan (Stouffville, ONT) and freshman Chris D’Alvise (Mississauga, ONT) setting up the play. Clarkson struck again with the man-advantage at 15:53 as sophomore defenseman Grant Clitsome (Gloucester, ONT) connected on a slapshot from the blueline for his first goal of the season. Classmate David Cayer (Longueuil, QUE) and freshman Shea Guthrie (Carleton Place, ONT) assisted.
The Friars, who came out with a strong effort to start the second, capitalized on their dominating play at 6:26 as defenseman James Pemberton scored a power-play goal off assists from Watson and Torry Gajda to tie the score at 2-2.
The Knights got untracked and took the lead again just 89 seconds later when Weller positioned in front, redirected a shot from the point by Clitsome. Sophomore Steve Zalewski (New Hartford, NY) also assisted on the go-ahead goal. Senior Jeff Genovy (Kalamazoo, MI) gave Clarkson a two-goal lead with his team-high third goal of the season, a power-play marker at 16:28 after tipping in a shot from the point by junior defenseman Nathan Beausoleil (Moose Creek, ONT). D’Alvise recorded his second assist.
Weller closed out the scoring with Clarkson’s fourth power-play marker of the night at 13:22 of the final frame. Clitsome and Guthrie collected their second assists of the game on the goal.
Providence out shot Clarkson 42-25. Tyler Sims made 20 saves for the Friars. The Knights went 4-of-9 on the power play and killed off nine of nine Providence man-advantage opportunities.
