Junior Shawn Weller (South Glens Falls, NY) tallied a goal and an assist to lead a balanced effort in Clarkson University’s 4-2 exhibition victory over McGill University before 2,012 fans at Cheel Arena Saturday night. Four different Golden Knights scored goals as Clarkson overcame a 2-1 deficit early in the second period to improve its record to 8-0 against Canadian college teams at Cheel.
Trailing 2-1 at 2:30 of the second period, the Knights answered back with three straight goals. Senior defenseman Michael Grenzy (Lockport, NY) started the rally at 7:33. Grenzy made it 2-2 when he converted on the power play, lifting in a backhand shot through traffic off assists from senior Mike Sullivan (Stouffville, ONT) and sophomore Chris D’Alvise (Mississauga, ONT). Sophomore Dan Tuttle (Augusta, ME) connected for the game-winner while on a 5-3 power play at 6:59 of the third, redirecting a shot from the right circle by D’Alvise. Weller closed out the scoring at 10:42 of the third with junior defenseman Grant Clitsome (Gloucester, ONT) assisting.
McGill (14-7-3) took advantage of Clarkson penalty troubles over the last 10 minutes of the first period to grab a 1-0 lead after the opening stanza. Louis-Simon Allaire tallied on a 5-on-3 advantage at 16:25 to give the Redmen the initial lead. The Knights were whistled for four straight penalties, starting with junior captain Nick Dodge’s (Oakville, ONT) five-minute major for high sticking at 11:55. Dodge also received a 10-minute game disqualification, which will force the Knights’ leading scorer and the CSTV/HCA Player of the Month of December to miss next Friday’s ECACHL game against Colgate.
Clarkson wasted little time in tying it up to start the second, scoring just 56 seconds in when junior Steve Zalewski (New Hartford, NY) stuffed in a shot at the top of the crease. Linemates, Weller and freshman Matt Beca (Mississauga, ONT) assisted. The Redmen came right back to regain the lead on Bill Arsenault’s goal at 2:30.
Clarkson outshot McGill 26-16. Senior Kyle McNulty (Wakefield, RI) posted 11 saves in the Knights’ goal before being relieved by freshman Tim Potter (Bakersfield, CA) in the final six minutes. Potter, who joined the team this week, turned aside all three shots he faced in first appearance as a Golden Knight.
Clarkson went 2-of-9 on the power play, while the Redmen finished 1-of-6 with the man advantage.
