A potent Clarkson University power play, led by junior linemates, captain Nick Dodge (Oakville, ONT) and David Cayer (Longueuil, QUE), was at peak performance in New Haven, CT on Friday night as the Golden Knights won their third straight game with a 4-1 victory over 15th ranked Yale before 3,198 fans at Ingalls Rink.
Clarkson, which improved its record to 9-5-1 overall and 3-2 in the ECAC Hockey League, plays at Brown in Providence, RI on Saturday night, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
The Knights scored all four of their goals with the man advantage against Yale, the most penalized team in Division I, including three 5-on-3 power-play tallies. Dodge finished with a career-high four points on one goal and three assists while Cayer also chipped in four points (1-3), equaling his single-game best. Junior defenseman Grant Clitsome (Gloucester, ONT) contributed one goal and two assists while classmate Steve Zalewski (New Hartford, NY) rounded out the scoring with his team-high 11th goal of the year.
Clarkson's power play is ranked second in the nation, clicking at 24.3% (25-103).
After a scoreless first period, Clarkson connected for two quick 5-on-3 power-play markers to take command. Clitsome opened the scoring with his third of the year on a shot from the point at 5:15 with Cayer and Dodge assisting. Cayer made it 2-0 at 7:42 on his eighth goal of the season with Clitsome and Dodge setting up the goal. With less than two minutes to play in the middle frame, Zalewski converted off assists from Dodge and Cayer to give the Knights a three-goal advantage at 18:24. Just 35 seconds later, however, the Bulldogs gained some life with Mark Arcobello’s goal to make it 3-1 entering the third.
Clarkson regained the momentum early in the final period when Dodge made it 4-1 off assists from Clitsome and Cayer for his sixth goal of the season.
The Knights went 4-of-9 with the man advantage and enjoyed their best night of the season on the penalty kill, holding Yale scoreless in all 13 of its power play attempts. Junior David Leggio (Williamsville, NY) was outstanding in the Knights’ goal with a 35-save effort as the Bulldogs held a 36-29 margin is shots.
