A stingy defensive effort by Princeton resulted in a 2-0 loss for the Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team before 239 fans at Cheel Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Golden Knights, looking to secure their third straight ECAC Hockey League playoff berth, will host Quinnipiac on Sunday afternoon in the final home game for Clarkson’s 12-member senior class.
The Knights own a 15-13-3 overall record and hold down the eighth and final playoff spot with three games remaining in the regular season. Clarkson, at 7-10-2 in the ECACHL, is five points in front of Brown and Quinnipiac, and just one point behind Rennselaer in seventh place.
Princeton jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead and held the Knights in check throughout Saturday’s contest before adding an insurance goal late in the final period. Melanie Wallace put the Tigers on the scoreboard just 76 seconds after the opening faceoff, knocking in a shot during a scramble in front of the Clarkson goal.
Kim Pearce made it 2-0 with 6:15 left in regulation, scoring on a breakaway to seal the win for the visitors.
Clarkson held a slight 22-21 shot advantage, but failed to capitalize on seven power-play opportunities. Senior Kira Hurley (Pickering, ONT) made 19 saves in the Knights’ net, including 11 stops in the second frame, to give the Green and Gold a chance. Princeton was 0-of-3 on the man advantage.
