Senior goaltender David Leggio (Williamsville, NY) backboned a stingy defensive effort and senior David Cayer (Lonqueuil, QUE) and junior Shea Guthrie (Carleton Place, ONT) provided timely goals as the Clarkson University Hockey team recorded its first win in NCAA Tournament play in 12 years by defeating St. Cloud State 2-1 n the first round of the East Regional on Friday evening.
The Golden Knights, who snapped a five-game losing streak in the national playoffs with the one-goal victory over the Huskies at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY, improved their record to 22-12-4. Clarkson will face Michigan in Saturday’s East Regional Championship, which begins at 7:00 pm.
"I was really proud of our effort tonight," stated head coach George Roll. "For sixty minutes, I thought we played as well as we have all year. Every guy in our lineup played well."
After a scoreless first period, St. Cloud (19-16-5) took the opening lead early in the second frame on a goal by Garrett Raboin at 4:08. The Knights answered back late in the period to make it 1-1 through 40 minutes.
Cayer knocked in a rebound off of freshman defenseman Bryan Rufenach's (Cameron, ONT) shot from the point. Cayer drove to the net, picked up the puck and wristed a shot through traffic that deflected off a stick in front, and up and over St.Cloud’s goaltender Jase Weslosky, snapping a lengthy scoring drought in NCAA play for the Green and Gold. Cayer’s 10th goal of the season at 14:15 of the second was Clarkson’s first goal in tournament action in 125:03. Junior defenseman Tyrell Mason (Dawson Creek, BC) also assisted on the tying goal.
An outstanding effort by Guthrie lifted the Knights to their first NCAA Tournament victory since 1996. At 4:58 of the third, Guthrie took a pass off the boards from senior defenseman Grant Clitsome (Gloucester, ONT), skated past a St. Cloud defenseman and flipped in a backhand shot. Five of Guthrie’s goals this season have been game-winners.
Clarkson played a strong game along the broads and out shot the Huskies 40-25. The Knights were especially strong on the penalty kill, shutting down St. Cloud’s potent power play on all six of its man-advantage chances.
Leggio posted 24 saves, including 11 in the scoreless first period, to improve his career record to 59-28-12.
