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HAMILTON, N.Y. (11/19/11) – Austin Smith struck again with two goals and rookie John Lidgett tallied the first goal of his career as the 17th-ranked Colgate men's hockey team downed Princeton, 4-1, on Saturday afternoon at Starr Rink.

Colgate (8-4-1, 4-2-0 ECAC) swept its first home weekend of the season after two goals from Smith, including his fourth shortie of the year, and single tallies by Lidgett and Austin Mayer, both coming on the power play. Mayer finished the night with a goal and an assist for two points. Thomas Larkin and Kevin McNamara served up a pair of assists apiece and Eric Mihalik was impressive in net, stoning the Tigers when it counted most. He finished with 31 stops as both goalies this weekend pushed aside 30 or more shots.

Princeton (2-6-1, 2-5-0 ECAC) got its lone goal from Rob Kleebaum with the assist to Kevin Mills. Sean Bonar was matching Mihalik save-for-save most of the night and finished with 42 saves, including 19 in the second period.

The Raiders got on the board first with Mayer scoring from the slot on the power play for the 1-0 lead. After Larkin had his shot blocked, Kevin McNamara slid the puck over to Mayer, who set up in the slot. He fired a wrister through traffic and Bonar never saw it. The lead increased to 2-0 with Smith scoring his fourth goal of the weekend on a rush up ice. Larkin handed him the puck behind the Colgate net and Smith took off. He skated just over the Princeton blueline and no Tiger defender stepped up, so he took the shot. Smith beat Bonar just over the glove as he stretch out to try and make the save.

Colgate dominated in the second period, outshooting the Tigers, 19-9. Unfortunately for the Raiders, Bonar stood tall in net made all 19 saves. He made two great saves with the first coming against Mike McCann and the second on Mark Nasca at the door step. Colgate had the lone opportunity on the power play in the period, but couldn't score with four shots on net.

After the scoreless second, the shutout for the Raiders was looking good until Kleebaum broke in on a 2-on-1 situation and chose to shoot the puck. He roofed a shot over the glove of Mihalik to cut the lead down to 2-1. Mills made a play in the defensive zone and spotted a streaking Kleebaum just over the redline to set up the 2-on-1.

Colgate rebounded with 10:10 left in the game as Lidgett scored his first collegiate goal on the power play. The puck was work around to McNamara, he then slid a cross-ice pass to Mayer. The senior put the puck on net and after his first jab at the puck, Lidgett was able to tuck home the puck for the 3-1 lead. The advantage ballooned to 4-1 two minutes later as Smith tallied his fourth shorthanded goal of the season. He disrupted a pass in the offensive zone and was turned away on his initial shot, but stayed with it and beat Bonar for his second of the night to close out the scoring.

The Raiders earned six power play chances and scored twice, while the Tigers failed on all three of its opportunities. Colgate outshot Princeton, 46-32.

The Raiders will be back on the ice next Friday night at Gutterson Field House as Colgate takes on old ECAC Hockey rival Vermont at 7 p.m. for its only game of the week.

NOTES: Colgate honored the late player and coach Olav B. (Ole) Kollevoll '45 and his family during the second intermission … his family include three sons and stepson, along with seven grandchildren … in addition the Raiders welcomed back many alumni for its annual Silver Puck Weekend … Colgate finished off a home weekend sweep for the first time since beating Harvard and Dartmouth late last season … the Raiders remain perfect with the lead after two periods at 7-0-0 and are 6-1-0 when scoring first … Smith recorded his fifth multi-goal game of the season and 13th of his career … he currently has 15 goals and is two scores away from Francois Brisebois' output as the team's top goal scorer in 2010-11 … he has scored goals in three-straight games and has at least one points in all but one game this season … Lidgett becomes the 14th player to record a goal this season … he is one of two rookies, joining Joe Wilson, to have a goal … Mihalik made 30-plus saves for the fifth time this year … the Raiders outscored their opponents 7-2 and Smith beat the opponents 5-2 … Colgate has scored three or more goals in all eight wins.