BELFAST, Northern Ireland – Freshman Josh Dickinson scored both goals to lead the fifth-ranked Clarkson University men’s hockey team to a 2-0 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) on Friday at SSE Arena in the opening game of the Friendship Four. With the win, the Golden Knights improve to 11-3-1, while the Engineers drop to 2-8-3.
Dickinson (Georgetown, ON/Georgetown Raiders) opened the scoring at 18:10 of the first period, sticking home a rebound off the end wall for his first of two on the day. Helpers went to classmate Kevin Charyszyn (Jamison, PA/Waterloo Black Hawks) and sophomore Haralds Egle (Liepaia, Latvia/Chicago Steel).
After a scoreless second period, Clarkson made it 2-0 at 17:28 of the third. Dickinson carried the puck up the right wing boards, before cutting across the face of goal for his second tally. He beat RPI freshman netminder Linden Marshall (Victoria, BC/Trail Smoke Eaters) inside the left post for his eighth goal of the season. Fellow first-year Jack Jacome (Caledon, ON/Georgetown Raiders) and Charyszyn earned the assists.
RPI picked up its play in the third, outshooting the Golden Knights, 13-9. The Engineers created chances on its lone man advantage of the third, but could not sneak a puck past Clarkson sophomore goaltender Jake Kielly (Eden Prairie, MN/Tri-City Storm), who shut out RPI for the second straight game, posting 22 saves.
Sophomore Will Reilly (Toronto, ON/Nanaimo Clippers) registered a team-high four shots, while classmate Jacob Hayhurst (Missassauga, ON/Cedar Rapids RoughRiders) had three. The Engineers wound up 0 for 3 on the power play, while Clarkson was 1 for 5. Marshall was named RPI’s Player of the Game, while Dickinson earned the same honor for the Golden Knights.
Rensselaer is back on the ice tomorrow afternoon, when it takes on the loser of the Friendship Four late game, featuring No. 10 Providence and Maine. Puck drop for the consolation game is scheduled for 3pm. Clarkson will play the winner in the title game at 7pm.
