A controversial goal late in the game put an end to the Clarkson University Hockey team’s attempt to gain a weekend split in East Lansing on Saturday evening as Michigan State edged the Golden Knights 4-3 at Munn Arena.
The Spartans' Chris Forfar tallied the game-winner with just 2:49 left in regulation to pull out the victory for the home team. The officials had doubts about the deciding goal, but after a lengthy video review the goal stood up giving Michigan State its second straight win over Clarkson. On Friday MSU defeated the Knights 6-1.
Saturday’s game started out much better for Clarkson than the previous night as the Green and Gold held a 2-1 lead after the first period. Sophomore defenseman Mark Borowiecki (Kanata, ONT) opened the scoring with his second career goal just 1:49 in on a wrist shot from the point, an unassisted tally for the Knights’ first lead of the season.
Michigan State tied it up on Nick Sucharski’s power-play goal at 7:13. Clarkson, however, regained the lead as sophomore Louke Oakley (Whitby, ONT) finished off a pass from junior defenseman Bryan Rufenach (Cameron, ONT) for a power-play marker at 14:29.
After the Spartans made it 2-2 early in the second with Derek Grant’s power-play goal, the Knights had several excellent chances to go back on top with five straight man-advantage opportunities, but could not convert.
Michigan State took its first lead of the contest at 9:36 as Daultan Leveille’s goal made 3-2.
Clarkson battled back to tie it early in third as the Knights’ team leaders combined for the third goal. Senior assistant captain Matt Beca (Mississauga, ONT) connected for his second goal of the weekend off assists from junior captain Scott Freeman (Whitby, ONT) and junior assistant captain Brandon DeFazio (Oakville, ONT) at 7:31.
The Knights held a 36-31 shot advantage, but struggled on the power play going just 1-of-9 with the man advantage. Michigan State was 2-of-8 on the power play.
Sophomore Paul Karpowich (Thunder Bay, ONT) was named the game’s Third Star after a 27-save effort, including 13 over the final 20 minutes.
Clarkson will be looking for its first win of the season when it hosts Niagara and RIT in the first official games of the season at Cheel Arena next weekend.
