Potsdam, NY – In a rematch of last year's Eastern College Athletic Conference Hockey League Tournament Championship game, Harvard University overcame a third-period rally by Clarkson University to gain a a 3-2 victory before 1,928 fans at Cheel Arena Saturday night. The Golden Knights, who lost their third straight, fall to 3-9-1 overall and to 1-5-1 in the league.
Making his first career start in the Crimson goal, Justin Tobe posted 27 saves to backbone Harvard to its fifth win over the last six games. Tobe made 20 of his stops over the final 40 minutes to lead the Crimson (5-3-1, 3-3-1 ECACHL).
Harvard took advantage of early Clarkson penalty troubles to start the scoring when Charlie Johnson knocked in a rebound off a shot by Andrew Lederman while the Crimson were on a 5-on-3 power play at 5:34 of the first. The Crimson extended their lead to 2-0 early in the middle frame with another power-play goal. Noah Welch one-timed a pass from Dylan Reese with a slap shot from the top of the left circle for his third goal of the year, at 6:36.
Clarkson, which controlled play in the second period, out shooting Harvard 13-3, finally got on the scoreboard with a pair of goals 31 seconds apart early in the third period to tie the game. Freshman Steve Zalewski (New Hartford, NY) tallied his second goal of the weekend and fifth of the season, redirecting a shot from the point by classmate Grant Clitsome (Gloucester, ONT) at 1:44. Freshman Shawn Weller (South Glens falls, NY) also assisted. At 2:15, sophomore defenseman Michael Grenzy (Lockport, NY) evened the contest with his first goal of the season when his shot in front deflected off a Harvard defenseman. Freshmen Matt Isbister (Calgary, ALB) and David Cayer (Longueuil, QUE) set up the score.
Tom Cavanagh, the Crimson’s leading scorer, who help set up the first two Harvard scores, netted the gamewinner at 7:49.
Clarkson out shot Harvard 29-18, including a 22-10 margin over the last two periods. Junior Dustin Traylen (Kirkland, QUE) made 15 saves for the Knights. The Crimson were 2-of-7 on the power play, while Clarkson was 0-of-5 on the man-advantage.
