In the first official NCAA hockey game of the season, the Clarkson University Hockey team and St. Lawrence put on an exciting show for a national TV audience on ESPNU, and the sellout crowd at Appleton Arena with the Saints finally prevailing 3-2.
The Golden Knights, who entered the game ranked 7th in the national polls, will host UMass and Providence next weekend at Cheel Arena. Clarkson and St. Lawrence will faceoff again in two weeks for the first ECAC Hockey game of the season on October 20 in Potsdam.
The Knights, who held a 1-0 lead late in to the second period, surrendered three straight to the Saints to fall into a two-goal deficit midway through the third period. Late in the final frame, Clarkson pulled to within one when sophomore Matt Beca (Mississauga, ONT) knocked in a backhand shot at 16:27. Linemates, senior Steve Zalewski (Mississauga, ONT) and sophomore Tim Marks (Brownville, NY) assisted. Clarkson had a late power play, but could not come up with the equalizer.
One of the Knights’ top rookies and a veteran All-American combined for the game’s first goal with just 1:33 remaining in the opening period. Freshman left wing Scott Freeman (Whitby, ONT) made a strong play against the boards and skated hard to the Saints’ net where he left a drop pass between the circles for senior Nick Dodge (Oakville, ONT). The Knights’ captain then connected for his 41st career goal, sending a perfect wrist shot under the crossbar for his 99th career point.
St. Lawrence, which had 15 shots on goal in the second period, finally got on the scoreboard with 4:32 left in the middle frame on Jordan Hack’s goal off a faceoff right in front of Leggio.
Clarkson came out strong to start the third and put three quality shots on the Saints’ goal, but were turned aside by St. Lawrence goaltender Alex Petizian. The Saints then took the lead at 9:21, connecting on a 3-on-2 rush with Casey Parenteau converting. The home team went up 3-1 at 13:01 with another goal off a faceoff, with Charlie Griffin scoring.
Both goaltenders seemed in mid-season form. Senior David Leggio, (Williamsville, NY) with 14 stops in the second period, and Petizian both finished with 27 saves.
Clarkson was 0-of-7 on the power play, while St. lawrence went 0-of-6 with the extra man.
