Although the Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team came up short in its bid for another upset victory, the Golden Knights certainly showed they could skate with the number-one ranked team in the nation. Clarkson put in a hard-fought effort in a 3-1 loss to top ranked St. Lawrence University on Wednesday night before a record crowd of 2,136 at Appleton Arena in Canton.
At 10-4-1 overall and 5-2 in the ECAC Hockey League, Clarkson, ranked 8th in the country, will face off against St. Lawrence (12-0-2, 3-0-2) again on Friday in a 7:00 p.m. game at Cheel Arena. Friday's game can be heard live over the internet on Cool 95.3 FM at http://hockey.clarkson.edu/
The Knights, who have already knocked off three Top 10 ranked teams this season, looked to be on their way to another win over a nationally-rated foe when they jumped out to a 1-0 lead against St. Lawrence. The Saints, however, who boast the second best power play in Division I, answered back with three straight goals, including two with the man advantage to remain unbeaten.
Junior assistant captain Emma Madigan (Mississauga, ONT) put an early scare into St. Lawrence giving Clarkson a 1-0 first period lead when she poked in a loose puck during a scramble at the top of the crease at 8:27 for her second goal of the year. Sophomore defenseman Katie Morrison (Ridgefield, CT) assisted.
The Saints picked up their pace in the middle stanza and took advantage of the first of their two power-play opportunities in the period to tie the game as Crystal Connors scored at 8:48.
St. Lawrence pulled away in the third with two goals. Alison Domenico tallied the game-winner at 8:28 on a shot from the top of the left circle that found its way through traffic in front and then Marianna Locke sealed the St. Lawrence win with a power-play tally at 11:18.
Clarkson out shot St. Lawrence 9-7 through the opening 20 minutes, but the Saints ended the game with a 20-14 shot advantage. Junior Kira Hurley (Pickering, ONT) posted 17 saves for the Green and Gold.
The Knights were 0-of-4 on the power play, while the Saints finished 2-of-6.
