Right from the start the Clarkson University Hockey team excelled in Friday’s 4-0 win over Merrimack in non-conference play before 2,461 fans at Cheel Arena, highlighted by freshman goaltender Jake Kielly’s first career shutout.
Kielly posted 23 saves in the whitewash, but was certainly not the only standout for the Golden Knights, who improved to 2-1 on the season.
Postgame audio Head Coach Casey Jones
Four different Knights scored and 10 players recorded at least one point in the victory as Clarkson outshot the Warriors 32-23 to snap a four-game losing streak in the series. In their four previous meetings against Merrimack, the Green and Gold scored only two goals combined.
The Knights also enjoyed a solid night in specialty teams play, going 1-of-9 on the power play and killing off all nine of the Warriors man-advantage opportunities. Clarkson also scored shorthanded along with killing off two five-minute major penalties.
Senior A.J. Fossen started things off at 5:18 of the first with a power-play tally, finishing off assists from junior defenseman Kelly Summers and freshman Devin Brosseau.
Just under two minutes later, sophomore Juho Jokiharju connected off a beautiful pass from freshman Nico Sturm in front for his first career point. Brosseau picked up his second career assist on the goal.
At 11:53, junior assistant captain Brett Gervais scored shorthanded to give the Green and Gold a commanding lead midway through the opening stanza. Junior Sam Vigneault and freshman defenseman Greg Moro assisted.
Senior Perry D’Arrisso closed out the scoring late in the middle, at 15:53 with Moro and senior Troy Josephs setting him up.
Clarkson will continue its season-opening non-conference action against Hockey East foes with Saturday’s 7:00 p.m. game against the University of New Hampshire.
