Potsdam, NY – A short-handed goal from Stephanie Denino with just 3:06 remaining in the third period to lift Princeton to a 2-1 win over the Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team in front of 426 fans Saturday afternoon at Cheel Arena.
The Golden Knights saw a six-game unbeaten streak come to an end and dropped to 22-7-5 overall and 13-6-3 in ECAC Hockey to close out the regular season, while Princeton moved up to 13-10-6 and 11-8-3, clinching fifth place in ECAC Hockey. Princeton has never lost to the Knights, who are 0-7-1 in eight meetings against the Tigers.
The two teams will meet again next weekend at Cheel, as Clarkson finished as the fourth seed in the ECAC Hockey standings. Friday's game will begin at 3:30 pm and Saturday's contest will be at 2:00 pm.
Though Clarkson held a 14-4 edge in shots in the first period, it was Princeton that had the best chance of the period as Brittany Salmon skated in alone on a mini-breakaway, but was stopped by Eve Grandmont-Berube (Drummondville, QUE) as she sprawled with a pad on the attempted backhand at the 12:53 mark. The period appeared as if it would end without a goal, but a fluttering puck made its way past Princeton goaltender Kristen Young. Katie Morrison (Ridgefield, CT) took a shot from the right circle that skipped along the ice and, thanks to a screen from Jessica Cloutier (Parker, CO), found its way into the back of the net for a 1-0 Clarkson lead. Cloutier assisted on the power-play goal at 19:15, as did junior Marie-Jo Gaudet (Sherbrooke, QUE).
Just two minutes into the second period, Princeton found itself tied up with the Knights again. As both teams changed lines going down the ice, Clarkson had just one defender back near the net and Princeton took advantage, jabbing away at the puck in front of Grandmont-Berube before the puck finally passed the goal line. Salmon scored her 10th goal of the season and assists went to Julie Flynn and Marykate Oakley.
Princeton had a slight advantage as the third period wore on, and the Tigers finally found themselves ahead of the game late in the period. Just 26 seconds after the team was whistled for a penalty, Princeton was able to earn a 3-on-1 rush coming down the ice. Defenseman Stephanie Denino zipped down the ice and one-timed a pass through the slot from Lizzie Keady past Grandmont-Berube for the short-handed goal. The Knights pulled the goalie in the final minute, but were unable to record the equalizer despite several close shots.
The Golden Knights finished with a 28-17 edge in shots. Grandmont-Berube made 15 saves for Clarkson, while Young made 27 stops for the Tigers. The Knights went 1-for-5 on the power play and the Tigers were scoreless in both of their chances.
