Playing its first ECAC Hockey game at home in over two months, the Clarkson University Hockey team got off to a slow start and could not recover despite a productive showing from its specialty teams, and fell to Quinnipiac University 3-2 before 1,962 fans at Cheel Arena on Friday night.
The Golden Knights, who fall to 12-10-2 overall and to 6-5-1 in league play, host Princeton University in a 4:00 p.m. game on Saturday afternoon.
Audio Head Coach George Roll postgame
Quinnipiac (13-10-3, 6-6-2) came out strong to start the game and controlled a fast-pace first period with a 12-3 shot advantage and took a 2-0 lead after the opening 20 minutes. Jeremy Langlois tallied both goals for the Bobcats, connecting for his first of the game at 3:41 off a quick pass into the slot by Ben Arnt, and then again at 13:07, knocking in a rebound off a Zack Currie shot. Arnt picked up his second assist on the goal.
The Bobcats controlled the better of the play in the middle frame, out shooting the Knights 12-8, but Clarkson made the most of one of its few chances to make it a 2-1 game after two periods. At 13:41 while on the power play, sophomore defenseman Andrew Himelson (Monroe, NY) connected on a blast from the point, one-timing a pass from freshman Allan McPherson (Kinburn, ONT) for his second goal of the season. Junior Jake Morley (Ogdensburg, NY) also assisted.
Audio Himelson Goal
The Knights picked up their play in the third, but it was Quinnipiac who struck first in the period to take a 3-1 lead. Yuri Bouharevich tallied the eventual game-winner at 8:58, finishing off assists from John Dunbar and Loren Barron.
Just 10 seconds into its third power play of the game, Clarkson pulled to within one once again when junior Louke Oakley (Whitby, ONT) tallied at 16:47 off a low wrist shot from the top of the left circle for his second goal of the season. Senior Bryan Rufenach (Barrie, ONT) and junior Nick Tremblay (Candiac, QUE), who extended his point-scoring streak to six games, earned the assists.
Audio Oakley Goal
The Knights pulled junior goaltender Paul Karpowich (Thunder Bay, ONT) for the extra attacker in the final minute of regulation, but were not able to convert for the tying score despite several good scoring chances.
Quinnipiac out shot Clarkson 32-23, including a 24-11 margin through the first 40 minutes. Karpowich finished with 29 stops. Eric Hartzell made 21 saves for Quinnipiac. The Knights went 2-of-3 on the power play and killed off all five of the Bobcats’ man-advantage chances.
