Clarkson snapped a five-game losing streak with a 3-3 overtime tie against nationally-ranked Ohio State in non-conference action before a crowd of 1,473 at Cheel Arena Friday night. The Knights had a chance to win, but Ohio State scored the lone goal in the third period to rally and tie the game.
The ECACHL’s Golden Knights, who stand at 3-11-2 overall, will look to gain their first win since November 12 when they face off against the CCHA’s Buckeyes in the final game of the series on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
Ohio State, ranked eighth in the country, owns a four-game unbeaten streak (2-0-2) and stands 11-4-2 overall.
Ohio State, fresh off a sweep of conference rival Alaska-Fairbanks last weekend in Columbus, started fast when freshman Tom Fritsche put the Buckeyes on the scoreboard early with an unassisted wraparound goal just 4:14 in, for his second goal of the season.
Clarkson tied the contest at 5:25 of the second when Sullivan tipped in a shot from the point by sophomore defenseman Nathan Beausoleil for a power-play goal. Chris Blight also assisted.
The Buckeyes came right back, however, to regain the lead just 16 seconds later as junior Rod Pelley connected off a pass from linemate Matt Beaudoin with a quick shot from the right circle.
The Knights, however, tallied twice in the final seven minutes of the stanza to take a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes of play.
At 13:18, Clarkson freshman Nick Dodge took a long outlet pass from defenseman Grant Clitsome along the right boards and fired a hard shot on the Ohio State net. Buckeye junior goaltender Dave Caruso made the stop, but was unable to control the rebound, which bounced out to the slot where it deflected off a backchecking OSU forward and into the goal to tie the score at 2.
With 38 seconds left in the middle frame, Jay Latulippe put the Knights on top when he dug a puck out of the corner and skated hard to the net, where he put his team-high seventh goal of the season behind Caruso. Sullivan recorded the assist.
Ohio State took advantage of one of two power plays in the third period to tie the score. Sean Collins one-timed a pass from Pelley at the point and blasted his shot through a maze of players and past a screened McNulty to make it a 3-3 game at 8:12.
Neither team had any shots in overtime.
The Buckeyes outshot Clarkson 30-26. Caruso made 23 saves for the Buckeyes. The Knights were 2-of-7 on the power play, while Ohio State was 1-of-4 on the man-advantage.
