Sophomore David Leggio posted 23 saves and three different Golden Knights scored goals as Clarkson University snapped a three-game losing streak by knocking off ECACHL leader No. 3 Cornell University 3-1 before 2,571 fans at Cheel Arena on Friday night.
The Knights, who won for only the second time in their past nine games, improved their record to 14-13-2 overall and 7-9-1 in the ECACHL. Cornell, which saw its unbeaten streak end at six games (5-0-1), falls to 16-5-3 overall and to 11-4-2 in the league. Clarkson faces off against Colgate on Saturday, while the Big Red plays at St. Lawrence.
The Golden Knights made the most of their limited scoring opportunities in the first period and were strong in specialty teams play to take a 2-0 lead over the Big Red in the opening 20 minutes. Freshman defenseman Tyrell Mason opened the scoring at 3:54 on Clarkson’s first shot of the game. Mason’s shot from the point found its way through traffic in front for his first collegiate goal. Junior defenseman Michael Grenzy and freshman Shea Guthrie assisted.
The Knights made it 2-0 at 13:17 with a power-play tally from senior Jeff Genovy. With less than 30 seconds remaining in the Knights’ only man-advantage opportunity of the opening stanza, Guthrie took a shot from the bottom of the right circle that deflected off the crossbar out to Genovy in the slot where he lifted in his eighth goal of the year. Grenzy picked up his second assist. Clarkson, which had only five shots in the period, killed off three Cornell power plays.
Leggio, who turned aside all eight shots he faced in the first period, made five more in the second frame, including two of his best on the night to keep Clarkson in front. With 8:52 remaining in the period, Leggio made a sprawling pad stop on the Big Red senior Cam Abbott and a glove save off of a hard wrist shot by junior Mark McCutheon, who came in on a two-on-one break with 8:02 left in the second.
Clarkson’s leading scorer, sophomore center Nick Dodge, put the Green and Gold on top 3-0 at 4:06 of the third with a hard shot from the top of the right for his team-high 15th goal of the year. Sophomore David Cayer assisted.
The Big Red spoiled Leggio’s shutout bid with junior Byron Bitz’s fifth goal of the year at 13:42. Senior Matt Moulson assisted.
Cornell outshot Clarkson 24-20, but the Knights, who won for the first time in six games against the Big Red, enjoyed one of their best nights on specialty teams. Clarkson was 1-of-2 on the power play while shutting down the Big Red on all six of their man advantage chances.
Junior David McKee started in the Cornell goal and made three stops on five period shots by Clarkson. Senior Louis Chabot came on in relief through the final 40 minutes for the Big Red and made 14 saves while allowing one goal.
