Weekly Release: Clarkson Gives Itself A Cushion

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ALBANY, NY -- Clarkson posted two victories over the weekend increasing its lead in the ECAC Hockey standings to five points.  With plenty of league play left,  seven teams are still within striking distance a mere seven points behind.

Clarkson maintained its spot in the national polls at the No. 10 position with a weekend sweep of visiting Rensselaer 5-2, and Union, 3-2.  Senior netminder David Leggio was the catalyst on defense in each contest, earning first-star-of-the-game recognition for stopping 54 of 58 chances in the two games.  For his efforts, Leggio was tagged with ECAC Hockey Goaltender-of-the-Week honors.  Winners of three straight, the Golden Knights' offense answered the call when they needed goals, netting three goals in the third period in downing the Engineers and two goals in the third period of a thriller in stopping the red-hot Dutchmen. 

Prior to falling to Clarkson Saturday, Union extended its school-record seven-game winning streak with a 3-1 over St. Lawrence snapping a six-game losing streak versus the Saints.  The Dutchmen gamely found the back of the net twice in the third period and their defense allowed only one goal for the fourth consecutive game. 

Snapping streaks was a familiar tune in the North Country, as Rensselaer led by freshmen duo Tyler Helfrich and Chase Polacek found its way back into the win column with a 6-3 victory at St. Lawrence.  Polacek, who was named ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week, scored one goal and collected three assists in helping the Engineers snap the 10-game losing streak.

Yale earned an important three league points last weekend and is now tied with Harvard and Union in the fifth spot in ECAC Hockey play.  Senior forward Matthew Thomey had a stirring weekend with a career best of three goals and one assist in the Bulldogs' 6-1 win at Colgate and 3-3 overtime time at Cornell.  Thomey was awarded with the ECAC Hockey Player-of-the-Week honors for his output.  Sophomore netminder Billy Blase continued to show why he is consistently ranked near the top statistically among ECAC Hockey netminders, stopping 47 of 50 shots. 

On Saturday, Colgate forgot in a hurry about its loss the previous night and responded with its own offensive onslaught, as four different Raiders scored goals in the 5-0 win over Brown.  Sophomore forward David McIntyre led the charge with two goals and one assist.

In addition to its tie Friday, Cornell also picked-up two points last weekend with a 4-1 win over Brown.  The Big Red defense came up big when being a man-down, as it stopped all six of the Bears' power-play opportunities.  Cornell is currently tied with Quinnipiac in the No. 3-spot in ECAC Hockey play.

Playing in its final non-conference games of the season, No. 16-ranked Quinnipiac dropped two contests to visiting Niagara 5-1 and 5-3.  Despite outshooting their opponents in each contest, the Bobcats could only net three goals in the two games. 

Coming off a two-week exam break, Harvard showed no signs of rust, as they traveled to Dartmouth and knocked-off the Big Green 3-1.  Senior forward Jon Pelle scored two of the Crimson goals, including the game winner.

Despite giving-up what appeared to be the game-winning goal with under two minutes to play, the Big Green rebounded in thrilling fashion Sunday versus American International, as senior forward Jon Grecu scored at the 19:59 mark to send the game in overtime.  Neither team would break in the extra session and the game finished in a 3-3 tie.