Clarkson Wins Opener

(photo courtesy of Clarksonathletics.com)

Clarkson opened defense of its ECAC Hockey regular-season title with a 3-1 win over Brown Friday night. The game was similar to many of the contests Clarkson played last season when it won the title with a 15-4-3 conference record.
Of the 22 games Clarkson played in the conference last year, 14 were decided by one goal or less, or two if an empty-net goal was needed to seal a win. Clarkson was 9-2-3 in those contests.

Prior to the game I jotted down five things to watch and here's what they were and how Clarkson did..(they are ranked in no particular order)

* Improve the power play which was 3 of 24 coming in -- Clarkson didn't really do well in this category Friday. The Golden Knights went 0-for-10 on the power play and had only three shots on goal in man-up situations.

* cut down opposing shots, team was averaging 35.8 prior -- Clarkson improved here, giving up just 25 shots tonight, including only four in the second period.

* cut down penalties, averaging 9.8 per game -- Clarkson was about the same here, taking nine penalties tonight, but they did take one less than Brown.

* Get Nick Tremblay going (no points heading into Friday) -- This also happened as the freshman, who had 51 goals in junior hockey last year, scored what proved to be the game-winning goal early in the third period.

* Outshoot the Bears -- Heading into Saturday's game Clarkson had been outshot by almost every opponent but did finish with a slim 27-25 edge Friday.

BONUS QUOTES
Brown coach Roger Grillo on opening the season with a north country road trip:
"You have to play it some time, so it doesn't matter when you play it."

Clarkson coach George Roll on freshmen Louke Oakley and Tremblay scoring first career goals:
"(Tremblay) has been squeezing the stick a little bit. It's nice for both him and Oakes. They all have that ability to score goals, that's why they are here."

On goalie Paul Karpowich, "I thought he was outstanding. He made a couple big saves late in the third. For a freshman, he's awfully calm."

On senior Shea Guthrie being named assistant captain:
"It's been a difficult stretch for him with the injury, but he's provided a lot of leadership off the ice. He's earned that from the coaches."

Tremblay on what a first goal can do:
"It relaxes me a lot. The first one is so hard to get. Once it gets going, it's easier after that."
On ECAC Hockey play, "It's really, really defensive. It's hard to get the shots on net."

Tyrell Mason on another close win in conference play:
"I think in the first two periods we were a little slow out there and played into their game. We had less penalties in the third, so that helps. The league is really tight. If you don't come out to work hard any team can win."

Oakley on difference in college and junior hockey:
"The speed. It's very fast. It's almost like a pro game and any little mistake can cost a game."
On Clarkson's third-period win: "It shows a lot of character for us to come back in the third period."