POTSDAM -- A reliable veteran and a promising newcomer enjoyed a productive start to the 2010-11 campaign for the Clarkson University Hockey team with four points apiece in the Golden Knights ’ 5-2 victory in exhibition action against Carleton University before 1,919 fans at Cheel Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Senior Scott Freeman (Whitby, ONT) recorded a hat trick and added one assist, while freshman linemate Allan McPherson (Kinburn, ONT) recorded three assists and came through with the winning score to lead the Green and Gold to the win in their first action of the season.

McPherson connected on a shot from below the left circle, finishing off assists from Freeman and sophomore Adam Pawlick (Utica, NY) for the Knights’ third and deciding goal at 13:23 of the third.

Junior assistant captain Jake Morley (Ogdensburg, NY) and Freeman sealed the win with an empty-net tallies at 18:58 and 19:21, respectively.

Freeman opened the scoring at 4:26 of the first period, flipping in a backhand shot off a perfect cross-crease feed from McPherson. Rookie defenseman David Pratt (Napanee, ONT) started the play with a long pass out of the Clarkson zone.

Carleton made quick work on its first power play of the contest, tying the game at 7:59 of the second period when Joey Manley’s shot found its way through a screen just 10 seconds into the man advantage. The Knights came right back 25 seconds later when Freeman tallied his second of the game, knocking in a shot at the doorstep at 8:24. Freshmen Mike Garlasco (Mahwah, NJ) and McPherson recorded the assists.

The Ravens had an excellent opportunity to get back on the scoreboard in the second half of the period as Clarkson was called for four consecutive penalties. The Knights, however behind strong play in the crease from junior Paul Karpowich (Thunder Bay, ONT), killed off the Carleton attack, which included a lengthy two-man advantage, to take a 2-1 lead into the third frame.

Penalty trouble finally caught up with the Green and Gold midway through the third period when Jeff Hayes tallied a power-play goal at 7:58 to tie the game at 2-2.

Clarkson out shot the Ravens 33-27. Karpowich finished with 25 saves, including 11 in the middle frame. Carleton was 2-of-8 on the power play while the Knights were held scoreless in four man-advantage opportunities.

Clarkson officially opens the season at the Omaha Stampede in Nebraska this coming weekend. The Knights battle the hosts Nebraska-Omaha on Friday and St. Cloud State on Saturday.