Clarkson vs. Cornell

Clarkson's winless streak was extended to eight games (0-7-1) after Cornell picked up a 4-1 win over the Golden Knights in Lynah Rink Friday night. The Big Red's defense was impressive, holding Clarkson to just 14 shots on goal.

Here were the five key things to watch in the game (I posted these before the game this time, now updating how Clarkson did in each category)

* Play a solid first two periods - Clarkson has led just once after the second period all year, in the season opener, and has been outscored 29-15 in the first two periods: This didn't happen as Cornell scored two goals in the first and then added another in the third to build a 3-0 lead heading into the final period.

* Special teams - Clarkson went 3-for-8 on the power play last weekend, but Cornell is 4-0 if it scores a power-play goal: It wasn't Clarkson's night on special teams either. Clarkson went 0 for 4 on the power play and had three power plays in the second period, yet picked up just two total shots on goal that period. Cornell went 1 for 4 on the power play.

* Deal with Lynah - Clarkson won 4-2 last year at Cornell, but is just 4-13 in the last 10 years at Lynah Rink, including three postseason series: Make that 4-14 now.

* Wake up the offense - Clarkson is averaging just 2.3 goals-per-game: No real offense to speak of in this game, but Cornell will slow down a lot of teams. The Big Red aren't a team you want to face when you are in an offensive slump.

* Will Scott Freeman and Bryan Rufenach stay hot? Freeman has scored in four straight games and Rufenach has picked up four points (2 goals-2 assists) in the last three games: Freeman had just one shot, but again, none of Clarkson's forwards were really able to do much against Cornell's defense, except goal-scorer Jon Marshall and Shea Guthrie, who had four shots on goal. Rufenach had one shot on goal and according to the radio broadcast had a solid game.