Clarkson Skates Past St. Lawrence 3-1 in Lake Placid for Second Straight Win Over Saints

Jeff DiNallo celebrates the game-winning goal in Saturday's win over St. Lawrence - photo by Mike Tansey

Members of the Clarkson University Hockey team’s freshman class made an impressive debut in their first appearance on the Olympic ice at the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, helping to lead the Golden Knights to a 3-1 victory over St. Lawrence University Saturday night in non-league action before an enthusiastic North Country crowd of 5,000.

Clarkson, which defeated its archrival for the second consecutive game and for the seventh time in the past eight meetings, improves its record to 4-7-5 overall. The Green and Gold also skated past the St. Lawrence (7-7-2) on Wednesday with a 4-1 ECAC Hockey victory in Canton. With its longest win streak of the season, Clarkson will close out the 2012 portion of the schedule next Saturday when it hosts Mercyhurst in a 7:00 p.m. game at Cheel Arena.

Audio Head Coach Casey Jones Postgame

Freshman Simon Bessette (St. Jean, QUE) tallied a goal and an assist, while classmate Jeff DiNallo (Aurora, ONT) scored the game-winner. Rookie goaltender Greg Lewis (Mars, PA) was sharp again in the Clarkson crease as he held the Saints to just one goal for the second consecutive game with a 25-save effort.

Both teams had opportunities in a wide-open, fast-paced first period, but strong efforts in goal by Lewis and St. Lawrence’s Matt Weninger, and several missed scoring chances left the game tied 0-0 through the opening 20 minutes. Lewis made six first-period stops while Weninger posted nine saves in the stanza.

St. Lawrence struck first in the contest when Gunnar Hughes deflected in a shot from the point by defenseman Pat Raley at 2:01 of the second period. The Knights came right back less than three minutes later on a goal by Bessette. The freshman left wing picked up a rebound in the slot off a shot by sophomore defenseman Sam Labrecque (Granby, QUE) and fired in his fourth goal of the season at 4:54.

Audio Bessette Goal

After both teams had numerous chances to take the lead in the period, DiNallo finally connected for the go-ahead goal. The freshman center had an excellent opportunity to put Clarkson on top with a breakaway attempt with 5:20 remaining in the stanza, but was turned aside by Weninger. Moments later, however, DiNallo made it count when he finished off a perfect pass in the slot by classmate Todd Christian (Norwalk, CT) for his second career goal with 5:05 left in the middle frame. Bessette also assisted.

Audio DiNallo Goal

Midway through the third, the Knights added to their lead with an insurance goal by junior Jarrett Burton (Echo Bay, ONT). Burrton tallied his team-high seventh goal of the season, connecting off a perfect setup in front by junior linemate Will Frederick (Allison Park, PA) at 8:36. Senior Adam Pawlick (Utica, NY) also assisted with a pass out of the corner to Frederick.

Audio Burton Goal

St. Lawrence pulled Weninger for the extra attacker with 2:32 remaining, but strong play by the Clarkson defense and several key stops by Lewis kept the Saints off the board, and once again the Knights denied St. Lawrence’s bid for their 1,000th all-time victory.

Both teams had 26 shots on net. Clarkson was scoreless on two power-play opportunities and killed off all four of the Saints man-advantage chances.

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