Weekend Update: Solid Play Between The Pipes Sparks Wins
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ALBANY, N.Y. -- With each league game having a
significant matter in weekend action, defensive play becomes
crucial in each contest. Last night in the four league
match-ups, goaltenders answered the call.
At No. 10 Clarkson 5, Rensselaer 2: Five
different Golden Knights scored goals, highlighted by freshman
Brandon DeFazio's first collegiate tally, and senior David Leggio
put in another solid effort in goal with 23 saves as Clarkson
defeated Rensselaer before 2,856 fans at Cheel Arena. Sitting
atop ECAC Hockey standings the Golden Knights, who extended their
unbeaten streak to four games (3-0-1), upped their record to 14-7-2
overall and improved their league mark to 9-3-1. Rensselaer
suffered its school-record 10th straight loss to fall to 8-15-3
overall and to 3-7-2 in the conference. Clarkson broke open
tight one-goal game with two scores in the final two minutes of
play to post its highest offensive output in 13 games.
Rensselaer cut the Knights' lead to 3-2 on senior Andrew Lord's
power-play goal at 6:17 of the third, for the Engineer's first
man-advantage goal in six games. Clarkson, however, sealed
the victory with a pair of goals late in the game. Clarkson out
shot Rensselaer 31-25. Mathias Lange made 26 saves for the
Engineers. The Knights went 1-of-3 on the power play, while RPI was
1-of-3 with the man advantage.The Engineers play at St. Lawrence
Saturday, while the Golden Knights host Union.
Union 3, at St. Lawrence 1: The Dutchmen won
a program-record seventh consecutive game with a win at St.
Lawrence at Appleton Arena. After surrendering the game's
first goal of the game to the Saints' Jordan Hack, Union netted the
next three goals, including the game winner by Torren Delforte to
snap the Dutchmen's six-game losing streak to the Saints. Union
improves to 11-8-3 and 6-3-2 in league play. Matt Cook and Jason
Walters also found the back of the net for the Dutchmen.
Corey Milan finished with 24 saves for Union, including 15 over the
final two periods, to improve to 5-5-3 on the season. John
Hallas stopped 32 shots in the loss.for the Saints. Union
travels to Clarkson Saturday for a 7 p.m. game at Cheel Arena,
while the Saints host the Engineers.
Yale 6, at Colgate 1: Matthew Thomey scored
two goals and Billy Blase stopped 32 of 33 shots as the Bulldogs
skated past a hot Raiders' squad before 1,590 at Starr Rink.
Yale earned a rare season sweep of Colgate with five different
players finding the net in its most dominating performance of the
conference season. Sean Backman, Mike Matczak, Denny Kearney
and Broc Little had the other Bulldog goals. Blase, who had
15 saves in the first period, came within 4:31 of a shutout and
made a number of quality stoops. Mark Dekanich (16 saves) allowed
four goals before giving way to Justin Kowalkoski.
At Cornell 4, Brown 1: A pair of power play
goals and tough defense that killed off all six of Brown's
man-advantage opportunities, including a 5-on-3 for 1:13 in the
second period, led the Big Red to victory over the Bears at Lynah
Rink. Raymond Sawada, Michael Kennedy, Blake Gallagher and
Joe Devin scored goals for the Big Red, which improves to 9-7-2 on
the year and 7-4-0 in ECAC Hockey play. Ben Scrivens finished
with 25 saves for Cornell, while Mark Sibbald stopped stopped 30
shots in taking the loss for the Bears.
Niagara 5, at No. 12 Quinnipiac 2:
Quinnipiac lost to non-conference opponent Niagara at the TD
Banknorth Sports Center. The Bobcats were dealt their first
loss since Nov.ember 30 as their unbeaten streak ends at 10
games. The Bobcats drop to 14-6-3 overall while Niagara
improves to 14-8-1. In goal, Bud Fisher totaled 18 saves
while allowing four goals over 57 minutes in net and Bryan Leitch
scored his ninth of the season for the Bobcats.
