Sophomore Scott Freeman tallied on the power play as Clarkson rallied to tie top-ranked Colorado College for the second straight game over the weekend, skating to a 2-2 deadlock on Saturday before a sold-out crowd of 3,392 fans at Cheel Arena. On Friday the Golden Knights, ranked 19th in the nation, and Tigers battled to a 1-1 draw.
“I was really proud of our effort in both games,” said stated Clarkson head coach George Roll. “I thought a lot of guys stepped up this weekend. The challenge now is to come out and play like that every night. We showed we are capable of playing with them, and we went blow-to-blow with them. It gives us the confidence that we can play with quality teams.”
With less than five minutes remaining in regulation, and Clarkson trailing 2-1, Freeman gathered in a pass from sophomore linemate Brandon DeFazio at the side of the net and knocked in his first goal of the season to tie the game. The Knights’ power-play tally was the first man-advantage goal allowed by Colorado College this season, snapping a streak of 42 straight kills by the Tigers.
Both teams had opportunities to win in the five-minute extra session, with Colorado College skating on two abbreviated power plays in overtime, and Clarkson playing the final 7.1 seconds with the man advantage.
Over the final 25 minutes of the game there were a total of 30 minutes in penalties called, 16 on the Tigers and 14 minutes on the Knights. Clarkson finished 1-11 on the power play, including 1-6 combined in the third period and overtime. Colorado College was scoreless in its 10 man-advantage opportunities, including 0-6 over the final 25 minutes.
Colorado College jumped out to the quick lead, scoring just 16 seconds into the first when junior Bill Sweatt’s (Elburn, IL) shot from the goal line deflected in off the skate of a Clarkson defenseman in front and past the Knights’ freshman goaltender Paul Karpowich (Thunder Bay, ONT).
Back in the lineup after sitting out Friday’s game, senior Chris D’Alvise tied it for the Knights, connecting on a quick wrist shot from the right circle at 6:13. Sophomore defenseman Dan Reed picked up the assist.
The Tigers’ leading scorer, senior Chad Rau gave Colorado College a 2-1 lead early in the second period. Just six seconds after a power play ended for the visitors, Rau picked up a rebound which deflected off the far post and fell into the crease where he swept it behind Karpowich at 2:06 for his fifth goal of the season. Freshman Tim Hall and senior Eric Walsky assisted.
Clarkson out shot an opponent for the first time this season, holding a 42-30 margin over the Tigers.
Karpowich posted 28 saves, while sophomore Richard Bachman finished with 40 stops, including 17 in the third period.
Colorado College , at 4-0-2, resumes WCHA play next weekend playing Denver in a home-and-home series. Clarkson takes a 1-1-2 mark into and exhibition game against Carleton University next Saturday before hosting Brown in its ECAC opener on November 7.
