February 23, 2008

Knights Shut Down Rensselaer

Box Score

TROY, NY -- Benefiting from strong defensive play, backed up in goal by senior David Leggio (Williamsville, NY), the Clarkson University Hockey team defeated Rensselaer 3-1 in Troy, NY on Saturday night. Senior captain Nick Dodge (Oakville, ONT) tallied two goals to help the Golden Knights retain their first-place lead in ECAC Hockey.

Ranked 11th/12th in the nation, Clarkson improved its record 18-10-4 overall and stands atop the conference standings with a 13-4-3 ECAC Hockey mark. The Knights, who hold a two-point lead over Princeton, close out the regular season next weekend at Cheel Arena hosting the Tigers on Friday at 7:00 p.m., and Quinnipiac on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

Clarkson ran its unbeaten streak over RPI to four games (3-0-1) to come away with three of four points in NY's Capital District region over the weekend. On Friday, the Knights skated to a 3-3 tie at Union.

At Houston Field House on Friday, freshman Scott Freeman (Whitby, ONT) gave the Knights a 1-0 first period when he intercepted an Engineer's clearing pass in the RPI zone and fired off a quick wrist shot from the left circle for his fourth goal of the year, an unassisted marker at 8:08

Clarkson made it 2-0 midway through the second when a lengthy power-play opportunity came to a successful conclusion for the Green and Gold. With just 13 seconds left in a five-minute major, Dodge knocked in a rebound off of sophomore Matt Beca's (Mississauga, ONT) shot for his ninth goal of the year at 8:10. Senior defenseman Grant Clitsome (Gloucester, ONT) also assisted.

Dodge set a new Clarkson record for career shorthanded goals when he sealed the Knights' win with an empty-net score with 44 seconds remaining. Dodge has nine shorthanded tallies for his career, including four this season.

RPI spoiled Leggio's shutout bid, scoring on the power-play goal with one second left.