Clarkson Earns 3-2 win at Princeton

Simon Bessette scored a goal and set up the game-winner in the Knights' 3-2 victory at Princeton - photo by Mike Tansey

With two late third-period goals by a pair of freshmen the Clarkson University Hockey team battled back for a 3-2 road win over Princeton in ECAC Hockey action at Hobey Baker Rink in New Jersey on Friday night.

The Golden Knights, who have gone 3-1-1 in their last five games, improve their overall record to 8-14-7. Clarkson, which plays at number-one ranked Quinnipiac on Saturday in Hamden, CT, is in a three-way tie for sixth place in the ECAC Hockey standings with 7-7-3 conference mark.

Audio Head Coach Casey Jones postgame

Junior Matt Zarbo (Grand Island, NY) and freshman Simon Bessette (St. Jean, QUE) both tallied one goal and one assist, rookie T.J. Moor (Lake St. Louis, MO) connected for the game-winner on the power play, and freshman Greg Lewis (Mars, PA) posted 25 saves to highlight a complete 60-minute effort by the Green and Gold on the road.

Audio Greg Lewis save

The Knights played strong from the opening faceoff, but it was Princeton (9-11-4, 7-7-3), which took advantage of some favorable second-period bounces to hold a 2-1 lead after two periods.

After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, in which Clarkson held a 15-7 shot advantage, the Knights took the initial lead early in the middle frame. Continuing its dominating play from the first period, the Knights struck first when Matt Zarbo scored on a shot from behind the Tigers’ goal line at 1:21 for his third goal of the season. Classmate Jarrett Burton (Echo Bay, ONT) earned the assist.

Audio Matt Zarbo goal

Princeton than grabbed the lead with a pair of goals less than three minutes apart. Rob Kleebaum knocked in a shot off the back of Lewis at 10:33, followed by Michael Sdao’ shot from the point that found its way through traffic at 13:12 to put the home team on top 2-1.

Bessette started the Knights’ third-period rally with a shot from the left circle at 14:30 for his fifth collegiate goal. Matt Zarbo and senior defenseman Andrew Himelson (Monroe, NY) assisted.

Audio Simon Bessette goal

Moor, who has been a key addition to the Clarkson lineup since joining the team at the start of the New Year, came up big again for the Knights. With just 14 seconds remaining on a man-advantage opportunity, Moor finished off a pass play from Bessette and rookie defenseman Paul Geiger (Stouffville, ONT) for his third power-play goal of the season and fourth goal in 12 games for the game-winner at 16:53.

Audio T.J. Moor goal

Clarkson outshot Princeton 38-27. Sean Bonar finished with 35 stops for the Tigers. The Knights went 1-of-3 on the power play and held Princeton scoreless in its two chances.

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