One night after surrendering four third-period goals in a 5-2 home loss to the University of Vermont, the Clarkson University Hockey team came through with a solid 60 minutes in Burlington on Saturday to defeat the Catamounts 3-2 at Gutterson Fieldhouse.
The Golden Knights, who evened their record to 1-1, were especially strong over the final 20 minutes on UVM’s home ice, outshooting the Cats 17-6 in the final frame. Junior Ben Dalpe connected on one of those shots with a shorthanded goal for the game-winner.
For the game, Clarkson outshot UVM 30-25. The Green and Gold, who struggled in specialty teams play Friday night, came through with a much better effort on Saturday. The Knights went 1-of-5 on the power play and killed off nine of the Catamounts’ 10 man-advantage opportunities along with scoring the shorthanded goal.
Postgame audio from Head Coach Casey Jones
Dalpe finished off a 2-on-1 rush with senior assistant captain Perry D’Arrisso, knocking in a centering pass at 6:08 of the final frame for his fourth career game-winning goal. Senior defenseman, captain James de Haas also assisted.
Clarkson and Vermont traded two goals apiece through the first 40 minutes for a 2-2 tie after the second period.
Junior assistant captain Nic Pierog started things off with a power-play goal at 14:02 of the first, deflecting in a right-point shot by de Haas. Freshman Sheldon Rempal also assisted.
UVM answered back with its own power-play tally, a rebound goal by Rob Darrar with 1:42 remaining in the opening period.
Last year’s leading scorer for the Knights, junior Sam Vigneault put the Knights back on top early in the second stanza. Vigneault took advantage of a Catamount misplayed in front of their own net and made it 2-1 at 2:55 for his first goal of the season.
Vermont, looking for the weekend sweep of the Knights, tied the game once again at 7:19 when Ross Colton scored during a flurry at the top of the Clarkson crease.
That would be the final time the Catamounts would find the back of the Clarkson net as the Green and Gold dominated the final period en route to snapping a five-game losing skid to UVM.
Freshman Jake Kielly completed his first career win in the Clarkson goal with a 23-save effort.
Clarkson continues action against Hockey East foes when it hosts Merrimack College and the University of New Hampshire at Cheel Arena next weekend.
