After opening the season with two road tests against Hockey East opponents, the Clarkson University men's hockey team returns to Cheel Arena tonight to face Canisius University in its regular-season home opener. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

The Golden Knights enter the weekend at 1–1 after rallying for a 3–2 victory at UMass Lowell last Friday before falling, 4–0, at ninth-ranked Providence on Saturday. Tonight begins a two-game series against the Golden Griffins, with the teams meeting again Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

Clarkson showed its resilience in the season opener, overcoming a two-goal deficit with three unanswered goals. Adrian Misaljevic scored twice to bring the Knights even, and Rémi Gélinas delivered the game-winning power-play goal midway through the third period. Owen Van Steensel and Ty Brassington assisted on the decisive tally.

Shane Soderwall made 15 saves against the River Hawks, including several important stops down the stretch to preserve the victory. Clarkson finished 1-for-4 on the power play and successfully killed all three Lowell opportunities, providing an early example of how special teams can help determine a close game.

The Knights will look to rediscover that offensive finish after being shut out at Providence. Establishing sustained pressure, getting bodies to the net and generating chances throughout the lineup will be priorities as Clarkson settles into its first home series.

Canisius arrives in Potsdam with a 2–1–1 record. The Golden Griffins opened with a 4–0 victory and a 5–5 tie against Ferris State before splitting a road series at LIU last weekend. Both games against LIU finished 3–2, with Canisius winning Friday and dropping Saturday's rematch.

Recent history offers Clarkson a reminder of the challenge ahead. Canisius won last season's meeting, 3–1, in Buffalo. The Knights hold a 5–3–4 advantage in the all-time series and are 3–1–2 against the Golden Griffins at home. Clarkson won the most recent meeting at Cheel, 2–1, to open the 2024–25 season.

Now in its third season under Head Coach JF Houle, Clarkson continues to develop a lineup featuring returning veterans and newcomers. This weekend provides another opportunity to build chemistry ahead of ECAC Hockey play, which begins at home against Union and RPI on November 6–7.

Tonight's game will be streamed on ESPN+, with radio coverage available on B99.3 FM. Fans attending Saturday's series finale should note the 4:30 p.m. start time.