Clarkson Integrator

Issue date: 1/28/08 Section: Sports

Freshman wing Brandon DeFazio celebrates after scoring his first goal as a Golden Knight against RPI on Friday. The Knights beat the Engineers 5-2, with the win the Knights remain atop the ECAC standings.

The Clarkson Men's Hockey team returned home from a four game road trip to play the Engineers from RPI in front of a raucous crowd Friday night. The engineers were no match for the Golden Knights as Clarkson dominated with their offensive play and won the game 5-2. Five different players scored in the game including freshman wing Brandon DeFazio, who scored his first ever NCAA goal. With the win the Golden Knights improved their record to 14-7-2; 9-3-1 in league play and remain atop the ECAC standings.

The game started slowly, as neither team wanted to make a mistake that would cost them. But later on in the first period it was clear that the Knights' speed was too much as they forced RPI to take three penalties in the final five minutes of play. The Knights failed to capitalize on any of these power plays, however, and the period ended scoreless.

The Knights picked up the offence in the second as senior center Steve Zalewski blocked a shot in the Knights' zone and then fed sophomore wing Matt Beca, who was able to beat the RPI goaltender from top of the right circle for the shorthanded tally. It was Beca's fifth goal of the season and his second shorthanded. RPI was able to tie the game eight minutes later however as Bryan Brutlag scored off assists from Tyler Helfrich and Scott Halpern. Clarkson was able to regain the lead three minutes later as DeFazio was able to dig the puck free and out race everyone down the ice to beat the goalie glove side from the left circle for the unassisted tally.

The Knights offence didn't quit. Early in the third period junior center Chris D'Alivise scored two minutes into the frame. Shea Guthrie and Tim Marks earned assists on the play. RPI was able to cut the lead back to one goal when Andrew Lord was able to connect on the power play from the Helfrich pass. The lead was back to two goals however, after Marks, D'Alivise and Dan Tuttle combined for an odd man rush and scored easily. The goal was Marks' seventh of the season. Clarkson put the game out of reach when D'Alivise connected on the power play from the Guthrie pass with under a minute left. Marks also earned an assist on the goal.

Senior goaltender made 23 saves to earn the victory as Clarkson out shot the Engineers 31-25. The Golden Knights are on the road next weekend as they take on nationally ranked third Colorado College.

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