Potsdam, NY – Junior Dustin Traylen (Kirkland, QUE) posted 36 saves and freshman center Steve Zalewski (New Hartford, NY) scored both goals to lead Clarkson University to a 2-0 victory over Union College in Eastern College Athletic Conference Hockey League (ECACHL) action before 2,090 fans at Cheel Arena Friday night.
The Golden Knights, who snapped out of two-game losing skid, improved their record to 7-14-2 overall and to 3-7-1 in the conference. The Dutchmen, who suffered their second straight shutout, have lost three straight and six of their last seven ECACHL games after starting the season at 6-0 in the league. Overall, Union, which has been held scoreless over the last 163:12 of play, stands at 10-13-1 and is 7-6 in the ECACHL.
Clarkson, which is tied for 10th place in the ECACHL with Rensselaer, hosts the Engineers in a 7:00 p.m. game on Saturday. Rensselaer posted a 3-2 victory at St. Lawrence on Friday.
After a scoreless, penalty-filled first period against Union, Clarkson went on top 1-0 early in the second stanza. The Knights, who scored the opening goal of a game for only the eighth time of the season, tallied on the power play when Zalewski scored in front off a pass from classmate Shawn Weller (South Glens falls, NY) at 1:42. Rookie Mike Arciero (Avon, CT) also assisted.
The Knights’ clinched the victory when Zalewski took a pass from classmate Nick Dodge (Oakville, ONT) at center ice and scored into an empty net with eight seconds left in regulation for his team-high 10th goal of the season. Freshman Grant Clitsome (Gloucester, ONT) also assisted. Clarkson’s freshman class accounted for all of the scoring in the contest.
Making his first start in five games, Traylen was on top of his game from the opening faceoff to record his first shutout of the season and fourth career whitewash. Traylen posted 11 saves in the first, 14 in the second and 11 more over the final 20 minutes to record his second-highest save total of the year.
Freshman Justin Mrazek made 20 stops for Union.
Clarkson enjoyed its best night on the penalty kill, shutting down the Dutchmen on nine power-play opportunities. The Knights were 1-of-6 with the man advantage.
