Knights Lose On The Road To Cornell

Five straight Cornell goals in the closing 40 minutes of regulation topped Clarkson 7-2 at Lynah Rink in Ithaca, NY.

Entering Saturday's game, Clarkson sat third in the ECAC Standings, one point behind Cornell. The Knigts opted to make a change in net, giving the start to Freshman Emmet Croteau, marking Croteau's first start since Nov. 10, after missing time due to injury. He attained his first career win on Oct. 28 in a 3-1 win over Michigan Tech.

Cornell scored two early goals around a tripping penalty to Noah Beck. As the Big Red got the extra attacker on, Jack O'Leary scored on the delayed penalty at 1:56 on their first shot of the game. They would head onto the power play immediately, where Dalton Bancroft gave his team a 2-0, 3:09 into the game.

Clarkson went onto their first power play thanks to a boarding call against Hoyt Stanley at 8:46. Midway through the advantage, the Golden Knights used their challenge to review a heavy hit against Ryan Richardson in the neutral zone. After the review, Ondrej Psenicka was assessed a five minute major, and game misconduct, giving Clarkson a 45 second five-on-three, followed by 4:15 on the major power play. 28 seconds later, the Knights scored as Ayrton Martino and Beck found Anthony Romano for a one-timer to cut the lead in half. With 1:04 remaining in the major penalty, Martino shot from behind the net where the puck deflected off Mathieu Gosselin's stick, high into the air, and over the shoulder of Cornell goaltender Ian Shane, tying the game 2-2. The Knights finished the first period out-shooting the Big Red 14-8.

Cornell struck first in the second period. As the Knights pressed, a long stretch pass from the Big Red defensive end found the stick of Ryan Walsh who scored on the breakaway to regain the lead, 3-2 at 5:12. Kyle Penney scored again for the Big Red 97 seconds later on a transition play, where his shot beat Croteau on the glove side. Cornell's Jake Kraft ended Croteau's return to the lineup with the Big Red's third goal in 3:43, extending their lead to three goals. Croteau was replaced by Austin Roden with 11:05 remaining in the second.

Clarkson was sent short handed on an interference penalty to Tristan Sarsland at 9:40. The Knights killed off Cornell's advantage, with the only shot during Sarsland's sentence coming short handed by Oliver Moberg. Shortly after the media timeout, Roden made his first save by shutting down Gabriel Seger amidst a two-on-one rush. Later in the period, Brady Egan found a breakaway but was stopped by Shane as he wired a shot off the blocker. Trey Taylor also got past Shane, with his wrap-around attempt going through the crease to Ryan Taylor in front of an open net. As Shane sprawled frantically, having the puck loose somewhere behind him, until his defensemen rescued with a clearance, somehow keeping the puck out.

With 13:21 remaining in the third period, Clarkson was given a power play with Stanley called for high sticking. 33 seconds later, O'Leary created a turnover handing the puck to Sullivan Mack, who scored shorthanded putting the Big Red on top 6-2. Eric Ciccolini forfeited the remainder of the advantage by taking an interference penalty with 24 seconds remaining. Roden made two saves assisting on the successful penalty kill. Cornell got another goal from a quick turnover, and a sharp angle shot from near the goal line, as Luke Devlin made it 7-2. 

In the final three minutes of the game, the referees assessed 84 minutes of penalties during three separate altercations. During the first emotional burst, Clarkson's Gosselin and Judson and Cornell's Penney and DeSantis were given 10-minute misconducts. 55 seconds later, Clarkson's McFaul and Cornell's Catalano received 10-minute misconducts. Finally, with 74 seconds left in regulation, Clarkson's Jesse Tucker was given a 10-minute misconduct after cross-checking Seger of the Big Red.

Clarkson's power play finished with two goals on three attempts, tying a season high. The Knights' penalty kill stopped three of Cornell's four chances. Two Golden Knights recorded multiple points, with both Beck and Martino finding two assists on each of Clarkson's power play goals. Croteau made 11 saves in his return to the lineup, Roden made 8 saves in relief.

The Knights are now 13-12-1 this season, 7-6-1 in ECAC conference play. The team sits in fourth place in the ECAC standings, four points behind Cornell in second. They will return home to Cheel Arena next weekend, hosting Princeton and the defending National Champion Quinnipiac Bobcats. The next game is Friday, Feb. 9, with the puck drop set for 7:00 PM EST. Stream the game on ESPN+ or listen on B99.3 FM.