A slow start was the downfall for the Clarkson University Hockey team on Saturday night as Brown University used a three-goal spurt in the first period and then held off the Green and Gold over the final 40 minutes to defeat the Golden Knights 3-2 in ECAC Hockey before 2,264 fans at Cheel Arena.
Looking to break out of a five-game losing streak, Brown (6-12-1, 4-7-1) made the most of its scoring opportunities in the first period and jumped out to a commanding lead over the first 20 minutes. Just 26 seconds after the opening faceoff, junior Harry Zolnierczyk (Toronto, ONT) won a puck along the right boards and slipped in a shot from the post for his team-high ninth goal of the season.
At 11:24, sophomore Jarred Smith (Pepper Pike, OH) followed up a shot from the point by Jordan Pietrus (Winnipeg, MAN) and tapped in his fourth goal of the season. The Bears made it 3-0 at 16:03 when senior defenseman Sean McMonagle (Oakville, ONT) tallied his third goal of the year on a shot from the top of the left circle that found its way through traffic and past the Knights’ sophomore goaltender Paul Karpowich (Thunder Bay, ONT).
Clarkson got back into the game 65 seconds into the middle frame when junior assistant captain Brandon DeFazio (Oakville, ONT) knocked in a rebound off shot by senior Matt Beca (Mississauga, ONT) for his seventh goal of the season. Freshman Pete Massar (Williston, VT) also picked up an assist for his first collegiate point.
Audio DeFazio Goal
At 6:56 of the third, the Knights made it a one-goal game when Beca knocked in a rebound off of DeFazio’s shot for his team-high 13th goal of the season. Freshman defenseman Nik Pokulok (Vaudreuil-Dorion, QUE) also assisted.
Audio Beca Goal
The Knights went on a power play with 24 seconds remaining in regulation, and with the goaltender pulled for another extra attacker, put pressure on the Bears put could not come through with the tying score. Clarkson was scoreless in three power-play opportunities, while Brown was 0-of-2 in its man-advantage chances.
Brown held a slight 31-27 advantage in shots. Karpowich finished with 10 saves on 13 shots through 16 minutes of play before leaving after the Bears’ third goal. Classmate Richie LaVeau (Arlington Heights, IL) came on in relief and turned aside all 18 shots he faced.
Sophomore Michael Clemente (Great Falls, VA) posted 25 stops for the visitors.
Clarkson, which has lost four straight and is winless in its last five (0-4-1), will look to improve upon its 5-16-3 overall record and 1-9-2 ECAC Hockey mark when it opens a four-game road trip at Colgate this coming Friday.
