Clarkson reigned victorious on the heels of an Eric Ciccolini natural hat trick, during a 2:22 span in the second period, topping arch rival St. Lawrence 4-1.

Brady Parker got the nod in between the pipes for Clarkson, after three straight wins in 2024. Energy was high between both teams entering the first period of play. The Golden Knights and Skating Saints alternated opportunities back and forth throughout an evenly tilted opening 20 minutes. St. Lawrence gained the first power play opportunity of the game on a hitting from behind call against Mathieu Gosselin, but was shut down by a good Clarkson penalty kill. After the first, the Golden Knights held a slim 11-9 shot advantage, but the game remained scoreless.

"It was a great first period. I thought we were really fast, efficient in the defensive zone, and got pucks up ice quick to generate chances," Dustyn McFaul said following the first period. "It's an unbelievable atmosphere. We know how much this game means to our town, and to our university, so were going to keep bringing this same effort the rest of the game"

St. Lawrence was able to draw a quick power play 17 seconds into the second period. Slashing against Cody Monds allowed the Saints to open the scoring, as Phillipe Chapleau scored on the power play 1:15 into the period. As the Saints picked up some momentum, gaining their third power play from a Clarkson too many players violation, Gosselin revived the Golden Knights generating a short handed rush that forced a penalty to offset the Saints man advantage. As Clarkson transitioned into the power play, Eric Ciccolini powered through the Saints defense to score his 6th of the season, forcing another penalty to the Saints. Daimon Gardner and Cody Monds assisted on the equalizing goal 11:24 into the period. 

Clarkson kept the same unit on the ice as they began the renewed two minute power play. Monds won a puck battle in the left corner, allowing Trey Taylor to find an open lane onto the stick of Ciccolini, whose strong net front tipped in his second goal in 34 seconds.

As the ice tilted, Clarkson sent the top line back to work and used a quick change to spring Ayrton Martino up the ice alongside Ciccolini. Martino extended a four game point streak as his saucer pass let Ciccolini send hats flying, netting his first career hat trick at the 12:08 mark. Gosselin was also credited with an assist as Clarkson flipped the 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 lead within a 2:22 span.

"It was pretty fun there, but we have to keep up the intensity for the upcoming third," said University of Michigan transfer Ciccolini, "I've been a part of a few big rivalries back in Michigan, and this is right up there with the best of them, it's so awesome."

Brady Parker opened the third period with his best series of saves, stopping Saints Captain Justin Paul twice on a breakaway, holding the two goal lead. Clarkson went to the power play with 8:22 remaining on an interference penalty assessed to Tomas Mazura. Although the Knights did not score, they were able to tick two more minutes off the clock. St. Lawrence pulled their goaltender on an offensive zone faceoff with 2:22 left in regulation. Gosselin won three straight defensive zone faceoffs, finishing his shift with the game-clinching empty net goal. Jack Judson and Anthony Romano helped close the deal with assists, giving Clarkson a 4-1 lead with 1:16 left.

"It was a really good effort. I was impressed by the way our younger guys handled the crowd and all the noise so it was a great win for our team," Gosselin said after the contest. "Tomorrow we will approach the game the same way. Obviously, we know these guys better, and they know us, so we have to make any needed adjustments and get back at it with the same energy."

Clarkson out shot the opposition 24-20, as Brady Parker accumulated 19 saves in the win. The Knights' special teams held the advantage, killing three of four penalties and adding two power play goals on three chances.

Following the game, Coach Cory Schneider spoke to Brady Parker's performance: "Really calm in net for us. He stopped some pucks when we needed him to, stopped some plays when we needed a change, and didn't give up rebounds. The save at the start of the third was huge to our finish."

The Golden Knights are now 13-9-1 this season, 7-3-1 in ECAC conference play. The win moves Clarkson into second place in the conference standings, three points ahead of Cornell, Colgate, and Union, seven ahead of St. Lawrence. The Route 11 Rivalry continues tomorrow, as the Knights hit the road, 10 miles to Canton, at Appleton Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM EST. Stream the game live on ESPN+. Listen on B99.3 FM, with the Golden Knights' pregame show starting at 6:50 PM.