Despite two power-play goals from senior defenseman Grant Clitsome (Gloucester, ONT) the Clarkson University Hockey team fell to archrival St. Lawrence University 4-2 in ECAC Hockey action at Appleton Arena on Saturday.
The Golden Knights, who entered the game ranked 9th in the nation, close out the first half of the schedule with a 10-5 overall record and a first-place 6-2 ECAC Hockey mark. Clarkson is now off for the next 27-days before playing in the Florida Classic on December 28-29.
The Knights fell behind early in their third meeting of the season against St. Lawrence (5-7-3, 2-4-2) and could never get on top as the Saints took advantage of just about every Clarkson mistake to gain their second win of the year over their archrivals.
Just 1:54 into the game, St. Lawrence went on top on a goal by Charlie Giffin. Clarkson tied it up on Clitsome’s first goal of the year on a shot from the top of the right circle for a power-play marker at 10:46. Senior Steve Zalewski (New Hartford, NY) and sophomore Matt Beca (Mississauga, ONT) assisted.
The Knights were on the verge of another power-play opportunity about four minutes later, but a hitting after the whistle penalty nullified a Clarkson man-advantage chance, and put both teams four aside. The Saints made the most of the swing in momentum and went ahead 2-1 with Casey Parenteau’s tally at 15:14.
In a penalty-free second period, the Saints grabbed a 3-1 lead at 10:15 of the middle frame with Mike McKenzie connecting.
Just 1:42 into the third, the Knights’ made it a one-goal game with Clitsome’s second goal of the night, finishing off passes from freshman Scott Freeman (Whitby, ONT) and sophomore Tim Marks (Brownville, NY) with another wrist shot from the right circle for the power-play tally.
St. Lawrence regained the two-goal advantage midway through the period with Zach Miskovic’s goal at 11:58, putting the home team up 4-2.
With 90 seconds left to play in regulation, the Knights pulled senior goaltender David Leggio (Williamsville, NY) for the extra attacker, but despite several excellent scoring opportunities, Clarkson could not get any closer.
Both team had 39 shots with Clarkson holding a 17-6 advantage in the final frame. Leggio made a season-high 35 saves, including 16 in the first period. Alex Petizian posted 37 stops for the Saints. The Knights went 2-of-5 on the power play and held the St. Lawrence scoreless in their four man-advantage opportunities.
