After putting up six goals on Cornell in Friday’s Game 1 of the ECAC Quarterfinals at Lynah Rink, Clarkson was shut down by one of the best defensive teams in the nation in Saturday’s Game 2 as the Big Red edged the Green and Gold 2-1.
Clarkson, which won the series’ first game 6-2, and Cornell will face off in the series deciding Game 3 on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. in Ithaca, NY.
Suffering its first loss in five games, the Knights stand at 18-15-5. Ranked ninth in the country, Cornell improves to 19-7-5.
The Big Red, playing to extend their season after Friday’s loss, scored the game’s first two goals in a tight defensive battle.
Patrick McCarron, Cornell’s top offensive threat from the blueline, connected on a deflection at 7:31.
After a scoreless second period, Anthony Angello gave the home team a 2-0 advantage, scoring on a rush at 8:50 of the final frame.
With 1:57 remaining, sophomore Juho Jokiharju (Tampere, Finland) gave Clarkson life with an extra-attacker, power-play tally. Jokiharju’s wrist shot from the high slot found its way through traffic in front and over the blocker of Cornell goaltender Mitch Gillam. Freshman Sheldon Rempal (Calgary, ALB) and junior Jordan Boucher (St. Therese, QUE) assisted on Jokiharju’s fourth goal of the season and first since October 15.
Cornell was able to hold off the Knights in the final seconds to preserve its one-goal victory.
Clarkson outshot Cornell 25-18. Freshman Jake Kielly (Eden Prairie, MN) made 16 saves. Gillam finished with 24 stops.
Clarkson was 1-of-4 on the power play and killed off all four of Cornell’s man-advantage chances, including a five-minute major late in the second and early in the third period.
