Clarkson’s John Sullivan tallied the game-winner with 16 seconds remaining in overtime as the Golden Knights overcame Princeton Saturday night.
The Tigers started strong and went ahead 1-0 just 2:36 into the game when Sebastian Borza came out from behind the Clarkson net and slid the puck through the legs of Clarkson goaltender Dustin Traylen. Sophomore Mark Masters and senior Sharam Foualdgar-Mercer added assists on Borza’s first goal of the year.
Princeton continued to press and made it 2-0 just past midway when Matt Maglione fired a rebound passed Traylen. Borza and Masters added the assists on Maglione’s second goal of the season, and second in as many games.
Clarkson bounced back, however, as Mac Faulkner scored 13 seconds later to make the score 2-1. Clarkson outshot Princeton 10-7 in the period, but the stanza ended with Princeton on top 2-1.
Clarkson evened up the score at 2 midway through the second period on a goal from Chris Blight, but Princeton regained the lead at the 12:58 mark when freshman Darroll Powe scored on a breakaway. His third goal of the season came after freshman Grant Goeckner-Zoeller sprang him with a pass.
The third period started out well for the Tigers as sophomore Dustin Sproat tallied his fifth goal of the season 28 seconds into the period. Sproat carried the puck into the Golden Knight zone and fired a shot that Traylen got with his glove. The puck went straight up in the air and landed behind him where it slid into the net.
Clarkson came right back, though, and made the score 4-3 at 1:14 when Brodie Rutherglen scored. Trevor Edwards added a tally seven minutes later to knot the game at 4-4. Clarkson outshot the Tigers 16-10 in the final period, but freshman goaltender B.J. Sklapsky stopped the remainder of the shots and the game headed to overtime.
In overtime Clarkson controlled play early and gained a power play when Maglione was called for crosschecking at 2:28. The Tigers managed to kill the power play but with 16 seconds left, Clarkson took advantage of a Tiger miscue and Sullivan converted on a 3-on-1 as the Golden Knights posted the 5-4 victory.
Princeton is now 5-14-1 overall and 5-7-1 in the league. Clarkson improved to 9-8-4 overall and 4-4-1 in the ECAC. Clarkson also extended its unbeaten streak against Princeton to 11 games.
