SLU Weekend (Part II) - Clarkson v. RPI Women's Game

Welcome to the big leagues. In between SLU games we had the opportunity to witness the Clarkson Women’s Hockey team in their first ever encounter with rival RPI. After briefly falling behind, they buried RPI Saturday afternoon at Cheel Arena with a dominating performance in front of a small, raucous crowd, winning 7-1.

RPI got on the board first, creating a pile in front of the net and slipping their first and only shot of the period by junior net-minder Kira Hurley. Clarkson immediately responded, generating several opportunities in front of the net, one of which appeared to bounce off a skate and into the vacated side of the net evening the score at one a piece.

In the second, Clarkson gave up an early penalty, but then went on a tear, scoring four unanswered goals, two on very strong power plays to put the Knights up 5-1.

Clarkson quickly cashed in on another power-play goal midway through the third when Meghan Park scored her first goal of the season, then immediately followed it up with her second to make the score 7-1. Clarkson coasted the rest of the way, with RPI generating a few opportunities but not putting the puck in the net during the third period.

Brooke Beazer and Ashley Shaidle also tallied two goals for Clarkson, which moved their record up to 18-7-1. Clarkson also went 3 for 3 on the Power Play. Clarkson has not given up more than one goal in nine consecutive games.

Ron Ayers’ Unsung Heroine: Amanda Dittmer – Her outstanding stop of a penalty kill clearing attempt in the second, directly lead to a goal just seconds later, putting the nail in the coffin.

Brett Gobe’s Unsung Heroine: Stephanie Hansen – Called on to relieve starter Kira Hurley in the 2nd, she stopped all six shots she faced including a couple of Hasek like sprawls in the third period to preserve Clarkson’s six goal margin.