Its first ever game at Munn Arena in East Lansing, MI will be one the Clarkson University Hockey team will soon want to forget as the Golden Knights dropped their 2009-10 season opener 6-1 to Michigan State on Friday night.

The Golden Knights will not have to wait long to redeem themselves as they faceoff against the Spartans (1-0) again on Saturday, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Michigan State, of the CCHA, took advantage of a rash of Clarkson penalties on its home ice, connecting for three power-play goals in eight man-advantage chances. The Spartans, with seven power plays through the opening 40 minutes, built a 4-1 lead through two periods, and then added two more goals in the final stanza to complete their season-opening victory.

Michigan State opened the game with a power-play marker at 16:21 by Corey Tropp. With less than two minutes remaining in the first, senior Matt Beca (Mississauga, ONT) connected for Clarkson’s lone goal, a power-play tally off an assist from sophomore Nick Tremblay (Candiac, QUE) at 18:22.

The Spartans took control in the second frame, scoring three unanswered goals, including two while on the man advantage. Dustin Gazley connected at 2:04, followed by an even-strength goal by Andrew Rowe at 14:53. Another power-play goal, this time off the stick of Zach Josepher, made it 4-1 for the home team at 17:36.

Derek Grant, at 1:20 of the third, and Josepher with his second of the game at 4:17, closed out the scoring for Michigan State.

Clarkson out shot the Spartans 29-28, Sophomore Paul Karpowich (Thunder Bay, ONT) made 22 saves for the Knights. Drew Palmisano posted 28 stops for MSU.