In a rematch to the 2019 NCAA Quarterfinals, the Knights and Fighting Irish faced off in South Bend to open the 2023-24 season. This time the Knigts would grab the lead and not relinquish it, coming out with a 3-1 win over the #20 ranked Irish.
Clarkson got a great start in the opening minutes when a power play helped them gain some momentum and the Knights kept that pressure going leading up to 15:47, when a turn over off of a shot block by
Anthony Romano, led to a 2 on 1 with
Ryan Taylor eventually feeding
Cody Monds who would score off the one timer to give the Knights their first goal of the season.
In the middle frame, Notre Dame would tie the game on Landon Slaggert's goal 4:54 into the period.
The third period saw both teams start to push the pace a bit more. A breakaway midway through the period was turned away by the Irish goaltender, but shortly after that,
Cody Monds would get another break and net his second of the game at 4:45, to put the Knights up 2-1.
Late in the period, the Knights would take a penalty, giving the Irish a chance on the power play with the extra attacker.
Kaelan Taylor was able to get a clear from behind his own net and the puck was able to make it down into the open net to give the Knights the 3-1 lead. The game wasn't over at that point though, the Irish still had the power play and over a minute to play.
Austin Roden would make some key saves and the Knights defenders would sacrifice the body to make some huge shot blocks down the stretch.
The Knights would go 0 for 3 on the power play and hold the Irish to 0 for 4 with the man advantage. Taylor's goal was a short handed tally.
Austin Roden would make 27 saves for his first win as a Golden Knight. The knights would also finish with 12 blocked shots.
The Knights will face the Irish again tomorrow at 5pm at the Compton Family Arena.
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For more information about Clarkson Athletics visit www.clarksonathletics.com and to learn more about the ECAC, visit www.ecachockey.com/sports/mhockey