The consolation contest of the Wells Fargo Denver Cup went in favor of the Miami RedHawks as an empty-net goal in the final minute finished off a 4-2 victory over Clarkson.
Four players tallied multiple points for the RedHawks en route to the win, and the end of a three-game losing streak.
On the first power play of the contest Miami sophomore Todd Grant gave his team an early 1-0 lead when he walked in on net and scored his second goal of the season at 8:15. Grant had all the time in the world because junior Derek Edwardson, who earned an assist, reversed ice when the entire Clarkson defense was on the right side of the goal.
After successfully killing a five-on-three power play, the RedHawks allowed the Golden Knights to score with 18 seconds remaining on the second penalty at 17:52 in the first period. CU’s Jeff Genovy ripped a shot from the right faceoff circle that found its way through to even the game at 1-1.
Miami took advantage of a five-minute major penalty on Clarkson at 10:00 in the second period when Greene netted his second goal of the season. Greene put the goal top-shelf after Edwardson and sophomore Chris Busby worked the puck around the perimeter for an easy strike.
Clarkson waited until 12:28 in the third stanza to tie the game, 2-2, when Ken Scuderi scored his first career goal with a low shot to the glove side. His goal, from the top of the right faceoff circle, was assisted by defenseman Dale Good.
Senior Nick Jardine moved into a tie for the team lead in goals when he found the back of the net at 16:21 in the final frame to give the RedHawks a 3-2 advantage. Jardine’s goal, which would turn out to be the game winner, was scored on a backdoor pass from Greene. Grant registered his third point of the game with an assist.
Facing a 3-2 deficit, Clarkson pulled its goalie with a minute remaining in the contest, and left the door open for Grant to register career highs in goals and points.
After Edwardson won a faceoff in the neutral zone, Jardine found Grant open on the right wing. Grant did the rest by flipping the puck into the empty net from the blue line, giving him two goals and four points in the contest.
Miami’s power-play unit thrived against Clarkson, converting on three of eight penalties.
