One streak continued and another ended for the Clarkson University Hockey team in the Golden Knights’ 4-1 victory over Rensselaer in Troy, NY on Friday night. Ranked 10th in the nation, Clarkson extended the longest current unbeaten streak in the country to 10 games (8-0-2) with its first win over the Engineers in seven games, breaking out of a 0-5-1 slump against their ECAC Hockey League rivals.
Junior Shawn Weller (South Glens Falls, NY), playing before numerous family members and friends in his hometown area, figured in on all of the Knights’ scoring with one goal and three assists. Classmate David Leggio (Williamsville, NY), who has allowed only 12 goals during the current unbeaten streak, made 30 saves in another solid effort in the Clarkson crease, backboning the Green and Gold to their first win at Houston Field House since early in the 2002-03 campaign.
After registering just one shot on goal in the first period, Clarkson came out strong to start the second, taking a 2-0 lead just 4:25 into the middle frame. Junior captain Nick Dodge (Oakville, ONT) knocked in a rebound at the side of the net off a shot by Weller for a power-play tally at 4:08. Junior David Cayer (Longueuil, QUE) also assisted. Just 17 seconds later, Weller scored his ninth goal of the season, connecting off assists from freshman Matt Beca (Mississauga, ONT) and junior Steve Zalewski (New Hartford, NY).
RPI (6-11-6, 2-6-3) got on the scoreboard at 14:21 with a goal by Oren Eizenman. Clarkson, however, regained the momentum at 18:42 when Weller hit a streaking Zalewski with a pass at center ice. Zalewski skated in for a breakaway attempt and batted in his own rebound for his team-high 13th goal of the season, giving the Knights a 3-1 advantage after 40 minutes. Sophomore defenseman Tyrell Mason (Dawson Creek, BC) also assisted
Beca sealed the win with an empty-net goal with 1:25 left to play.
Rensselaer out shot Clarkson 31-25. The Knights went 1-of-4 on the power play and killed off all six Engineers man-advantage chances.
