HAMILTON – There were shorthanded goals and tallies by the Class of 2021 on Senior Night.
As exciting as it was, the Raiders fell in a 3-2 final to No. 13/15 Clarkson in ECAC Hockey play. After going up 2-0 with a shorthanded and a power play goal, the nationally ranked opponent was able to inch back for the win.
The Raiders were then able to celebrate its seven-player senior class postgame, in
Nick Austin,
Trevor Cosgrove,
Tyler Jeanson,
Henry Marshall,
Paul McAvoy,
Josh McKechney, and
Evan Tschumi.
HOW IT HAPPENED
As it tends to against Clarkson, the night started out fast and strong as both teams were hungry to make the first move at the net. The Raiders had a strong power play, and quickly received a second opportunity with the man advantage midway through the period. After a late penalty call on the Raiders, the home team carried over 1:05 of a kill to the second period in a scoreless game.
It didn't remain scoreless for long though, as
Josh McKechney scored a shorthanded goal just 48 seconds into the second period, as he was flanked by
Colton Young in a 2-on-1 opportunity at the net. The Raiders then saw more special team action as they had a power play midway through regulation.
When tested with more defense, there were close calls and a couple of ringers, but the Raiders held onto their one-goal lead. It wasn't until Colgate drew another power play opportunity that the twine was tingled again.
Right off the faceoff at the start of the man advantage,
Nick Austin scored to increase the lead to two just five seconds in. The two-goal cushion didn't last long though as Clarkson went on to score with a power play goal of their own just 1:02 later.
Facing several whistles through the remainder of the period, Colgate headed into the third period carrying a one-goal lead and facing a 3-on-4 penalty kill. Although the Raiders successfully burned a major, Clarkson was able to score on the rebound to tie the game at two.
As the clock ticked down on regulation, both teams battled at either end of the sheet, but it would be the Golden Knights who found the five-hole with just 2:04 remaining. Despite pulling the goaltender for the final 1:37, the Raiders were unable to get back into the 3-2 final after Clarkson's late go-ahead goal.
COLGATE SCORING PLAYS
• Period 2 | 00:48 – As Clarkson looked for a breakout,
Colton Young capitalized on a turnover in the neutral zone. Downing the sheet along the right boards, he swerved in towards the crease. After putting it on a pad,
Josh McKechney was there for the putaway on the rebound.
• Period 2 | 12:52 – Right off of
Jeff Stewart's clean faceoff win, the puck went back to
Nick Austin on right defense. He threaded over to high in the slot, and with a wrister through traffic, scored his first of the season.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• With his second shorthanded goal of the season,
Josh McKechney opened the scoring for the Raiders. Overall, McKechney holds eight points on the year by four goals and four assists.
• The three shorthanded goals are the most for the program since three in the 2015-16 season's 37 games.
• Between the pipes, first-year netminder
Carter Gylander recorded a season-high of 36 saves. The performance included a game-high of 13 saves in the second period.
• Scoring his first of the season on the power play was senior
Nick Austin. It marked his first goal since Jan. 4, 2019.
• With an assist on Austin's goal, junior
Jeff Stewart now holds three assists through the last four games.
• In the circle, both sophomores
Matt Verboon and
Arnaud Vachon went perfect on their faceoff attempts, winning four and three each, respectively.
• Overall, special teams were critical. Colgate went 1-for-4 on the power play, and scored a shorthanded goal on one of their six penalty kills.
THE BOTTOM LINE
• No. 13/15 Clarkson 3, Colgate 2
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate holds a 5-8-5 record, and a 4-7-4 mark in ECAC Hockey action.
• No. 13/15 Clarkson is 10-7-4 overall on the season and is 5-4-4 in ECAC play.
UP NEXT
Colgate continues the series on Sunday as it travels to Potsdam, N.Y. After seven this season, Sunday marks the final matchup of the regular season against Clarkson, where the teams are set for a 4 p.m. puck drop.
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate men's hockey program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateMIH and Instagram at colgate_mih.
