A two-goal first-period effort was all the scoring the Clarkson University Hockey team would need as the Golden Knights held off Providence College behind the solid goaltending of senior David Leggio (Williamsville, NY), shutting out the Friars 2-0 before 2,599 fans at Cheel Arena on Saturday night.

Leggio picked up his fourth career shutout behind a 28-save performance as Clarkson, which defeated UMass 2-1 in overtime on Friday, improved its record to 2-1. Providence fell to 0-2.

Ranked 13th in the nation, Clarkson jumped out to a quick start, scoring 2:47 after the opening faceoff. Junior Shea Guthrie (Carleton Place, ONT) started off the scoring, lifting in a backhand shot to finish off a breakaway for his first goal of the season. Classmate Dan Tuttle (Augusta, ME) sent Guthrie in on the breakaway with a pass from center ice. Freshman Lauri Tuohimaa (Helsinki, Finland) also assisted. The Knights made it 2-0, at 15:47, when sophomore Matt Beca (Mississauga, ONT) knocked down a pass in front of the Providence goal and slipped a pass around a Friar defenseman to senior Steve Zalewski (New Hartford, NY) who knocked in a shorthanded tally for his first goal of the year.

Providence picked up its play over the final 40 minutes, outshooting the Green and Gold 19-10 in the final two periods, but Leggio, last season’s ECAC Goaltender of the Year, was on top of his game turning aside all of the Friars’ chances.

For the game, Providence held a 28-20 shot advantage. Tyler Sims  made 18 stops for the Friars. Both teams were 0-of-3 on the power play.

Clarkson opens ECAC Hockey play next Saturday, hosting North Country rival St. Lawrence University.