Benefiting from strong defensive play, backed up in goal by senior David Leggio (Williamsville, NY), the Clarkson University Hockey team defeated Rensselaer 3-1 in Troy, NY on Saturday night. Senior captain Nick Dodge (Oakville, ONT) tallied two goals to help the Golden Knights retain their first-place lead in ECAC Hockey.

Ranked 11th/12th in the nation, Clarkson improved its record 18-10-4 overall and stands atop the conference standings with a 13-4-3 ECAC Hockey mark. The Knights, who hold a one-point lead over Princeton, close out the regular season next weekend at Cheel Arena hosting the Tigers on Friday at 7:00 p.m., and Quinnipiac on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

Clarkson ran its unbeaten streak over RPI to four games (3-0-1) to come away with three of four points in NY’s Capital District region over the weekend. On Friday, the Knights skated to a 3-3 tie at Union.

At Houston Field House on Friday, freshman Scott Freeman (Whitby, ONT) gave the Knights a 1-0 first period lead when he intercepted an Engineer’s clearing pass in the RPI zone and fired off a quick wrist shot from the left circle for his fourth goal of the year, an unassisted marker at 8:08

Clarkson made it 2-0 midway through the second when a lengthy power-play opportunity came to a successful conclusion for the Green and Gold. With just 13 seconds left in a five-minute major, Dodge knocked in a rebound off of sophomore Matt Beca’s (Mississauga, ONT) shot for his ninth goal of the year at 8:10. Senior defenseman Grant Clitsome (Gloucester, ONT) also assisted.

Dodge set a new Clarkson record for career shorthanded goals when he sealed the Knights’ win with an empty-net score with 44 seconds remaining. Dodge has nine shorthanded tallies for his career, including four this season.

RPI spoiled Leggio’s, who finished with 16 saves, shutout bid, scoring on the power-play with one second left.

Clarkson out shot the Engineers 31-17. The Knights were 1-of-7 on the power play, while RPI went 1-of-6 with the man advantage.