Potsdam, NY – There was plenty of offensive fireworks at Cheel Arena on Friday night in the 2006-07 season-opener for the Clarkson University Hockey team as the Golden Knights skated to a 7-3 victory over Niagara University before a crowd of 2,628. Sophomore Dan Tuttle (Augusta, ME), with his first two career goals, highlighted the night for Clarkson, which improved its home-opening record at Cheel to 9-6-1.
Niagara opened the scoring in the penalty-filled contest at 2:37 of the first when Sean Bentivoglio connected on a 5-on-3 power-play. The Knights came right back, however, with four straight goals to take command. Tuttle tallied Clarkson’s first score when he knocked in a rebound off of junior Shawn Weller’s (South Glens Falls, NY) shot at 5:21 for his first goal as a Golden Knight. At 10:59, freshman Matt Beca (Mississauga, ONT) put the Green and Gold on top when he tapped in a pass at the side of the net from sophomore defenseman Philippe Paquet (Quebec City, QUE) for a 5-on-3 power-play goal and his first collegiate score.
Senior Max Kolu (Turku, Finland) gave Clarkson a 3-1 lead during a 4-on-4 situation at 12:30 with assists going to freshman Tim Marks (Brownville, NY) and sophomore defenseman Tyrell Mason (Dawson Creek, BC). The Knights’ offensive surge continued when Tuttle stole the puck off the stick of a Niagara defenseman in the neutral zone and slipped in an unassisted marker at the 15:00 mark. With just 1:42 left in the first, the Purple Eagles got back on the scoreboard with Les Reaney’s tally.
Clarkson continued to roll in the second stanza by sandwiching a pair of goals around a Niagara score to hold a 6-3 advantage through 40 minutes. Junior captain Nick Dodge (Oakville, ONT) tipped in a shot from the blueline by junior defenseman Grant Clitsome (Gloucester, NY) for a power-play marker at 7:45. The Purple Eagles stayed close with Pat Oliveto’s power-play tally at 11:28, but just 17 seconds later Weller answered back off junior Steve Zalewski’s (New Hartford, NY) second assist of the night to give Clarkson the three-goal lead through two periods.
The Knights capped off the victory with a power-play goal by Paquet in the final frame.
Clarkson held a 35-29 advantage on shots. Junior David Leggio (Williamsville, NY) posted 26 saves. The Knights were 3-of-12 on the power play, while the Purple Eagles went 2-of-11 with the man-advantage.
Clarkson hosts RIT on Saturday, while Niagara faces off at St. Lawrence.
