Clarkson, which has won six straight, improved its record to 12-5-1, and won its first holiday tournament opening round game since 1995, snapping a 0-8-1 streak in tournament first-round action. The Knights also picked up their first win against a WCHA team since early in 2001, snapping a 0-6-1 skid against western foes.
Along with Dodge and Leggio’s strong performances, the Green and Gold also received noteworthy play from numerous other players. Among the standouts were senior defenseman Michael Grenzy (Lockport, NY) with his first two goals of the season, sophomore blueliner Tyrell Mason (Dawson Creek, BC) and classmate Shea Guthrie (Carleton Place, ONT) with three assists each, sophomore Chris D’Alvise (Mississauga, ONT) got on the scoreboard for the first time in nine games with a goal and an assist, and Dodge’s linemates, senior Brodie Rutherglen (Trail, BC) and junior David Cayer (Longueuil, QUE), set up two goals apiece.
Clarkson took a 1-0 lead in the first when Dodge tipped in a shot from along the left boards by Mason at 10:22. Wisconsin snapped the Knights’ penalty-killing streak at 31 with a power-play goal at 8:31 in the second frame to tie the score, but Clarkson came right back with three straight goals to take a 4-1 lead through 40 minutes.
Just 21 seconds after the Badgers tied the game 1-1, Dodge connected off assists from Cayer and Mason to put Clarkson back on top. Grenzy tallied his first goal of the season, knocking in a rebound off of Mason’s shot just after a Clarkson power play ended to make it 3-1 at 11:30. D’Alvise netted his sixth of the year with 1:45 remaining in the period to give the Knights a three-goal lead.
Clarkson continued to roll to start the third with goals by Dodge and Grenzy to make it 6-1 midway through the final stanza. Wisconsin got its second goal at 10:52, but that was it for the Badgers, who saw their winning streak come to a halt at three games.
Clarkson held a slight 32-31 shot advantage.
