Cambridge, MA - Senior assistant captain Steve Zalewski (New Hartford, NY) recorded four points, including his second career hat trick to lead the Clarkson University Hockey team to a 4-2 victory over Harvard in ECAC Hockey play at Bright Hockey Center on Saturday night.
The Golden Knights, who won on the road for only the third time this season, and for the first time since early November, improved their record to 12-7-1 overall and to 7-3 in league play.
Tied 2-2 late in the third period, Zalewski took a long pass at center ice from freshman defenseman Dan Reed (Walworth, NY) and tallied on a quick wrist shot from the top of the right circle for the game-winner at 16:44. For Reed, that was his first collegiate point. Junior defenseman Tyrell Mason (Dawson Creek, BC) also set up the goal with his second assist of the game.
With 46 seconds remaining, Zalewski scored into the empty net for his third goal of the period, 12th goal of the season, and fourth point of the night. Zalewski, who scored four goals in the Knights’ last win on the road, a 6-2 victory at Princeton on November 10, now has 93 career points, including 18 (12-6) this season.
For the first time in eight games, Clarkson took the opening lead of a game. Junior Chris D’Alvise (Mississauga, ONT) put the Knights on top at 14:03 of the first period, knocking in his own rebound for his sixth goal of the season. Zalewski and sophomore Matt Beca (Mississauga, ONT), with his seventh straight game with a point, assisted.
Harvard (6-9-3, 5-6-2), tied the game at 12:11 on a tip-in by Crimson captain Mike Taylor.
Zalewski opened the third, connecting on a wrap-around attempt at 6:35 to put the Green and Gold on top 2-1. Mason set up the goal with strong play on the blueline to keep the play alive, and then sent a pass behind the net to Zalewski.
Just over three minutes later, Harvard tied the game again with a goal by Alex Meintel at 9:46. Zalewski, however, made the most of his opportunities at the end to help the Knights win their sixth consecutive victory over the Crimson.
Senior David Leggio (Williamsville, NY) put in another solid effort in the Clarkson goal with a 31-save outing, including 27 saves through the first 40 minutes, as Harvard out shot the Knights 33-28. The Crimson’s winless skid has stretched to 10 games (0-8-2).
Both teams were 0-of-3 on the power play.
Clarkson continues its current road trip at Colgate next Friday and at Cornell on Sunday afternoon, in a 4:00 p.m. game live on ESPNU-TV.
