Clarkson vs. Colgate

(to view game story check our website tomorrow morning)

Two teams that were in desperate need of a win today had to settle for a tie. Clarkson and Colgate, which each had eight-game winless streaks, skated to a 3-3 tie.

Here were thefive things to watch and how Clarkson did in each category:

* Continue Starr Rink dominance - Clarkson is 6-1-1 in its last 8 games in Colgate's building, although they have not enjoyed as much success against the Raiders in Cheel Arena. That's one odd thing about this series: (At least it wasn't a loss and 6-1-2 in the last nine games at someone else's rink is pretty impressive).

* Lead! - Clarkson has been outscored 32-15 in the first two periods so far this season. Today's game seems like one where it will be vital for either team to take a lead. Clarkson has led after the first period just twice this season and has only had the lead after two once, in the season opener. Colgate is 0-5 when the opposition scores first and the Raiders have been outscored 25-12 in the last two periods of games and overtime this year: (Clarkson did better than they've done in recent games in this area, it was 3-3 after two. But Clarkson never held the lead in this game and has seemed to play from behind almost all the time in the last month).

* Special teams - Both teams have struggled in this category this season, though Colgate has fared a little better on the power play. Whoever wins this category today just may win the game: (Clarkson had a slight edge here with two power-play goals compared to Colgate's one).

* Offense - in the past, Colgate/Clarkson games have always been low-scoring affairs. Clarkson has struggled to score goals of late, but if there was ever a team you could snap out of a slump against it appears to be the Raiders. Colgate has given up 14 goals in the last three games, including five against SLU Friday: (Chris D'Alvise came up with two goals and Clarkson put shots on net which led to some nice goals, especially Lauri Tuohimaa's redirection of a shot by Julien Cayer for the first goal).

*Goaltending and defense - Clarkson will be missing leader Phil Paquet again today after he reinjured his ankle Friday night. But the Golden Knights need to step up on defense and assist goalie Paul Karpowich with shots he can stop. Karpowich has had a very impressive freshman season, but the team as a whole has saved 90 percent of shots just once in the last seven games and in two of the last seven games Clarkson's goalies have had save percentages below 80 percent. That's not all the goalie's fault, some shots they've had no chance, but Clarkson needs to find a way to cut down the opposition's quality scoring chances: (Mixed results here. It's hard to really judge the defense with Tyrell Mason and Mark Borowiecki each missing the game, but all three of Colgate's goals were plays were the player was able to get right outside of the crease. Clarkson gave up 15 shots in the first period but then settled down and allowed only 13 in the next two. Colgate had five shots in overtime, but that was more because they started the period on a power play and the momentum stayed their way).

REMINDER: I will not be posting on this blog again until Jan. 2 prior to the first game of the Ohio State game.

Merry Christmas!