Box Score

POTSDAM, NY – Sophomore forward Wayne Simpson scored at 3:48 of overtime to lift No. 7/7 Union (23-7-3, 15-3-1 ECAC Hockey) to a 4-3 win over Clarkson (14-15-2, 8-10-1 ECAC Hockey) in front of 2,132 fans at Cheel Arena. The win was Union's eighth straight victory, a school record in the Division I era. Union set an all-time program record for wins, surpassing the previous mark of 22 wins set by both the 1976-77 and 1984-85 teams.

 

The Dutchmen also clinched a first round bye in the ECAC Tournament, securing a top four finish in the conference for the third time in program history.

Freshman forward Kevin Sullivan stopped a Clarkson breakout attempt at the blueline and fed Simpson with a cross ice pass. Simpson fired a wrist shot into the far side past Clarkson goaltender Paul Karpowich for the game-winner.

 

With a 3-0 lead entering the third period and Union seemingly in command, the Dutchmen lost control of the game in a span of 1:45 early in the final frame of regulation.

 

Clarkson got their offense going at even strength. After an initial kick save by sophomore goaltender Keith Kinkaid on a shot from the point from Alex Boak, Clarkson's Corey Tamblyn scored on the rebound at 4:45 to start the rally. Just 18 seconds later, Clarkson's Brandon DeFazio fired a shot from the high slot that deflected off the pad of Ben Sexton and between Kinkaid's pads to cut Union's lead to 3-2.

 

With freshman forward Josh Jooris in the penalty box for tripping, Clarkson would even the score at 6:30, as Scott Freeman crashed the net for a rebound to tie the game at 3-3, setting up a wild finish.

 

The Dutchmen got off to a fast start in the opening frame, recording the first seven shots of the contest and outshooting Clarkson 15-8 after one period of play.

 

Union scored its first goal of the night with Clarkson forward Ben Sexton in the penalty box for cross-checking.

 

Just 19 seconds into the power play, senior forward Adam Presizniuk found sophomore defenseman Greg Coburn skating in from the point and fed him a pass through the crease. Coburn scored from the goal mouth to give Union a 1-0 lead at 7:14 of the first period.

 

The Dutchmen would make it 2-0 at even strength late in the period. Junior forward Kelly Zajac skated off the side boards with the puck and beat Clarkson goaltender Paul Karpowich with a low backhander at 17:25.

 

Sophomore goaltender Keith Kinkaid made several key saves on two Clarkson power plays in the second period, with his most impressive stop coming just after Zajac was whistled for tripping at 17:10. On the ensuing faceoff in the Union zone, Kinkaid made a glove save through traffic on a Brandon DeFazio shot from inside the circle.

 

On the same Clarkson power play, senior forward John Simpson gave Union its first shorthanded goal of the season at 18:39 to give the Dutchmen a commanding lead.

 

Simpson broke up a Clarkson pass attempt by Bryan Rufenach from his point position and skated in on a two-on-one with senior forward Justin Pallos. Simpson fired a shot over the shoulder of Karpowich at 18:39 for his seventh goal, and career best 21st point of the season to give Union a 3-0 lead heading into the third period.

 

Union outshot Clarkson 38-28 for the contest, as Kinkaid made 25 saves for his 22nd win of the season. The Dutchmen went 1-for-7 on the power play, while Clarkson was 1-for-5 with the man advantage.

 

Union will take on St. Lawrence at Appleton Arena tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m.