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Clarkson falls behind early in 5-2 loss at Union

Posted 1/27/12

A disastrous first period cost the Clarkson University Hockey team in a big way in ECAC Hockey action on Friday night in Schenectady, NY as the Golden Knights lost to 13th/14th-ranked Union College …

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Clarkson falls behind early in 5-2 loss at Union

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A disastrous first period cost the Clarkson University Hockey team in a big way in ECAC Hockey action on Friday night in Schenectady, NY as the Golden Knights lost to 13th/14th-ranked Union College 5-2.

The Golden Knights, who have struggled at Messa Rink over the years, having lost six straight on Union’s home ice, were outshot 21-3 in the first period and fell behind 4-0 after the opening 20 minutes. Clarkson, which saw its five-game league unbeaten streak (3-0-2) come to an end, had the better of the play over the final two periods, but could not recover from the first-period deficit. The Knights outshot the Dutchmen 29-21 and outscored the home team 2-1 in the final 40 minutes.

Less than a week removed from outshooting St. Lawrence 50-13 in a 4-3 victory at Cheel Arena last Saturday, Clarkson was dominated in the first period by Union through the opening 20 minutes. The Dutchmen (14-6-6, 8-3-3) scored on their first two shots just 3:20 into the first.

Mark Bennett scored his first of the year on a quick wrist shot from the top of the circles at 2:45, and 35 seconds later Josh Jooris tallied on a wraparound.

At 8:39, Kyle Bodie put the home team up 3-0 with a power-play goal off a low shot along the goal line. With less than a second remaining in the period, Wayne Simpson scored during a scramble in front for a power-play marker, giving Union a 4-0 lead.

Clarkson came back in the second frame outshooting the Dutchmen 13-8, while trading goals in the period. Union scored early in the stanza when Sam Coatta finished off a 2-on-1 for a shorthanded tally at 2:32 to make it 5-0.

The Knights continued to play hard in the period and finally got on the scoreboard as senior Nick Tremblay (Candiac, QUE) found the back of the net at 11:27. Tremblay, who has at least one point in each of the past five games, scored his team-high 12th goal of the season when he slipped in a shot at the top of the crease. Senior Louke Oakley (Whitby, ONT) set up the goal with his team-high 13th assist of the year.

Clarkson continued to pressure in the third period and scored its second goal midway through the period, while holding the Dutchmen off the scoreboard.

Freshman defenseman Sam Labrecque (Granby, ONT)scored on a shot from the point at 11:17 for his fifth goal of the season. Sophomore Allan McPherson (Kinburn, ONT asissted.

Union held a 42-32 shot advantage. Senior Paul Karpowich (Thunder Bay, ONT) made 37 saves. The Knights were 0-of-3 on the power play while Union was 2-of-4 with the man-advantage.

Clarkson has not won at Union since defeating the Dutchmen in an ECAC Hockey playoff game on March 6, 2005, and has not won a regular season game in Schenectady since January 13, 2001.

The Knights, who stand at 11-11-5 overall and 5-6-3 in ECAC Hockey, play at Rensselaer on Saturday in a 7:00 p.m. game at Houston Field House. The Engineers have won three straight after shutting out St. Lawrence 4-0 on Friday.