A slow start by the Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team, a strong finish by St. Lawrence and a rash of penalties in between led to a 6-3 loss for the Golden Knights in non-league action against their archrivals at Appleton Arena in Canton, NY on Saturday evening.
Clarkson, which rallied to tie Vermont 3-3 Friday afternoon in Burlington, brings a 0-1-1 record into its home opener next weekend when it hosts a pair of Hockey East foes at Cheel Arena. This coming Saturday, the Green and Gold face off against Providence College at 1:00 p.m. and then battle UConn in a 1:00 p.m. contest on Sunday.
The Knights found themselves in a 2-0 first –period hole against the Saints, despite five power-play opportunities. Vanessa Emond opened the scoring for St. Lawrence with a shot in close that got up and over the glove hand of Clarkson sophomore goaltender Erica Howe (Ottawa, ONT) at 2:18. The Saints struck again with a shorthanded marker by Kelly Sabatine at 8:25.
In a penalty-filled second period, the Knights were able to withstand a string of St. Lawrence power plays and skated away with a 3-3 tie after 40 minutes.
Clarkson struck first, just 34 seconds into the stanza when junior defenseman Hailey Wood (Lethbridge, ALB) lofted in a high shot from the blueline that found its way through traffic for a power-play marker.
Audio Wood Goal
The Knights were then called for six of the next eight penalties, including four straight, to put them down in back-to-back 5-on-3 situations. The Saints were able to capitalize on one of those two-man opportunities when Mel Desrochers lifted in a rebound in front at 8:00.
After the string of penalties, Clarkson got back in the game and tie it with a pair of quick goals to make it 3-3 after 40 minutes. Senior Juana Baribeau (Amos, QUE) knocked in a loose puck during a scrum in front for her 47th career goal at 16:14. Less than a minute later, sophomore Jamie Lee Rattray (Kanata, ONT) finished off assists from classmate Carly Mercer (Exeter, ONT) and Baribeau at 17:09.
Audio Baribeau Goal
Audio Rattray Goal
Taking advantage of their home ice, the Saints were able to put the game away with three scores in the third period. Just 36 seconds into the final frame, and moments after a Clarkson penalty ended, Ellie Williams put St. Lawrence back in front. At 4:33, the Saints made it 5-3 when Rylee Smith lifted in a shot from the right circle just under crossbar. St. Lawrence tacked on its third goal of the period with a power-play marker from Jessica Hon at 12:07.
There were a total of 21 minor penalties called in the contest, 10 for Clarkson. The Knights were 2-of-10 on the power play, while SLU was 2-of-9. The Saints outshot the Knights 36-32. Howe posted 30 saves for Clarkson, while Carmen MacDonald turned aside 29 shots for St. Lawrence (1-0-0).
