Clarkson Notes

*photo courtesy of clarksonathletics.com*

The last time Fred Parker coached a game in Cheel Arena marked the end of what was probably the worst season in the history of the Clarkson University men's hockey program.
Parker will return to the building Saturday night as the coach of Clarkson's opponent, Carleton (Ontario) University for an exhibition game at 7 p.m.
He joined Clarkson's coaching staff as an assistant prior to the 2002-03 season with the goal of helping the program recruit the Central Ontario Junior Hockey League. He had been a longtime junior coach when hired by former Clarkson coach Mark Morris.
But three games into that season Morris was fired after a well-known incident in practice with former Clarkson player Zach Schwan.
Less than a month into a new job, and still making a daily commute from Ottawa, Ontario, Parker suddenly found himself thrust into a head coaching position, trying to keep a season together and recruit players, not even knowing if he himself would return.
Parker has now built Carleton into a power in Canadian college hockey as his program was ranked No. 8 in a recent national poll.
"He came into a very difficult situation and did an outstanding job," Clarkson athletic director Steve Yianoukos said. "He had excellent communication skills with the players. It was a tough year for everybody involved and he helped stabilize it. He was very-well liked when he was here."
*KARPOWICH HONORED AGAIN*
For the second straight week Clarkson freshman goalie Paul Karpowich was named the ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week. Karpowich was sharp against top-ranked Colorado College last weekend, allowing just three goals in 130 minutes.
*D'ALVISE BECOMES TOP FACE-OFF MAN*
After going 172-196 (.467) on faceoffs last season, senior Chris D'Alvise has gotten off to a strong start in that category this year.
Through three games, D'Alvise leads the team with a 55-31 record (.639) and got the better of Colorado College's top player, Chad Rau, in Saturday's contest. Rau went 21-10 on Friday, while D'Alvise sat out a one-game suspension. In Saturday's game he was just 19-17.
"He was good, but I figured him out in the third period though," D'Alvise said.
*ODDS AND ENDS*
Because Saturday's game does not count expect to see some players who have not played yet this season, including freshman goalie Richie LaVeau, who played at Lake Placid's Northwood Prep School last season. He was a teammate of current freshmen Julien Cayer and Jake Morley and had a .919 save percentage and 2.30 goals-against average while helping the team to a 33-7-2 season.