SAINTS TIP CLARKSON 3-2 IN SEASON OPENER

 

Oct. 7: If there was one area that St. Lawrence had trouble with in its season-opening game against arch-rival Clarkson, it was winning faceoffs as the Golden Knights had a two-to-one advantage in that statistic.

 

But, two opportune offensive zone faceoff wins led directly to goals as the Saints won the 2007-08 NCAA college hockey premiere game, a game televised by ESPNU, 3-2, snapping a two-game losing streak to their neighboring rivals.

 

“That was a pretty entertaining hockey game, particularly since it is so early in the year,” said Saint coach Joe Marsh. “I was very happy with the way our guys competed and with their effort. Obviously at this point in the year and with so few practices under our belt, there is a long way to go, but today’s game was a great way to start the year.”

 

Clarkson came into the game ranked seventh nationally in pre-season polls and as the pre-season favorite to win the ECAC title. The Saints, picked to finish in the top four in the ECAC and ranked 16 th nationally, opened against the Knights for the first time since 1946 in the first college hockey game to be televised by ESPNU.

 

Clarkson scored the only goal of an even first period, capitalizing on a neutral zone turnover by the Saints. Freshman Scott Freeman sent senior captain Nick Dodge into the Saint zone and Dodge beat SLU sophomore goalie Alex Petizian with a quick wrist shot just inside the far post with 1:33 to go in the period.

 

Both Petizian and Clarkson's David Leggio came through with strong performances in net, and Petizian came away with his first win over the Golden Knights and his 20th career victory just one game into his sophomore season.

 

The Saints, who had trouble winning faceoffs against the Knights, cashed in on a clean win by freshman Aaron Bogosian in the Clarkson end at 15:28 of the second period to tie the game. Bogosian won the draw back to senior Jordan Hack who quickly snapped a shot past Leggio to make it a 1-1 game. The Saints had another flurry later in the period, but Leggio came up big with three key saves to kept it tied through two.

 

Junior Casey Parenteau snapped the tie at 9:21 of the third as he fired a shot into the upper corner of the net off a drop pass from Alex Curran on a three-on-two. Jeremiah Cunningham then set up Giffin’s goal with a clean faceoff win in the Clarkson end and Giffin’s shot along the ice slid past a screened Leggio just inside the far post.

 

Becca made a great spin move in front off a check and tucked the puck past Petizian, but the Saint sophomore made 11 of his 27 saves in the third period and the Saints were able to hold off Clarkson despite the Knights’ pulling Leggio for an extra attacker in the final minute of the game.

 

"I was really pleased with where we were as far as mental preparedness and physical conditioning," said Marsh. "That speaks highly of what the captains have done, because we haven't had much time to work with the team as a coaching staff."

 

The official first day of practice for college hockey was Saturday and the Saints had a practice Saturday and a morning skate on Sunday before playing the game.