HAMILTON – It was competitive, physical, and fast play as the Colgate men's hockey program opened the 2020-21 season by hosting No. 8 Clarkson for nonconference competition. Although first-year
Alex Young recorded his first career goal in his first collegiate game, the Raiders were unable to match Clarkson's two quick tallies to fall in a 2-1 final to the ECAC Hockey foe.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Raiders opened the season by seeing a quick chance by
Tyler Jeanson as he had a look at the edge of the crease off the first play of the game, which was immediately followed by a scuffle that would indicate the upcoming physicality of the game. Colgate came out with major minutes in the Clarkson zone to start the period, outshooting the Golden Knights 3-0 in the opening minutes.
The first special team put to the test was the Colgate penalty kill, which was successfully burned behind big blocked shots by the blueliners. As the period went on, goaltender
Andrew Farrier made crucial saves in the second half to deny the Clarkson attempts, keeping things scoreless after 20:00.
While the second period opened with the fast-paced play up and down the sheet, it was with 11:04 remaining in the period that Clarkson was able to find the five-hole to make it a 1-0 game. That's when first-year goaltender
Carter Gylander entered the game for his first collegiate appearance between the pipes, splitting time with the starter Farrier.
Clarkson quickly followed up with another goal just over two minutes after the first to increase its lead to 2-0, and try as they might, the Raiders were unable to get onto the board before the final horn of the second period.
Colgate opened the final period yet again with multiple chances at the net as it looked to battle back. It was first-year NHL draftee
Alex Young who found the sweet spot to get the Raiders on the board midway through the period. The good guys in maroon then went on to a swift power play after the goal for the first time on the night, and although it was effective in peppering the Clarkson netminder, the Golden Knights returned their skater before the score could be evened.
With 6:11 remaining in regulation, Colgate opted to use their timeout. In the following minutes, the Raiders continued to narrow the offensive gap as shots on goal stood at 25-24 in favor of the Golden Knights. Although the Raiders utilized the extra skater for the final 1:02, the horn would sound before they could force overtime for a 2-1 final.
COLGATE SCORING PLAY
• Period 3 | 5:05 – While along the right boards in the Colgate zone, sophomore
Matt Verboon chipped the puck to center ice where
Alex Young picked it up. Being flanked by his brother
Colton Young, Alex made a wide play from the boards entering the Clarkson zone and swerved to center in front of the net. The first-year made a diving play that found the five-hole to get the Raiders on the board.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• A standout on the stat sheet was first-year
Alex Young as he recorded his first career goal in his first collegiate game. The goal came off of one of his three shots on goal on the night.
• After earning six points by one goal and five assists in 25 games played as a first-year,
Matt Verboon picked up his first apple in the season opener with the lone assist on Young's tally.
• Splitting time in goal, junior netminder
Andrew Farrier opened the game with 16 stellar saves with one goal against through 29:26 of play.
• At the midway point, first-year goaltender
Carter Gylander then made his first appearance in goal where he registered six saves and one goal against in 29:32 of action.
• Defensively, senior
Trevor Cosgrove recorded a team-leading four shots on goal along with one blocked shot.
• In terms of special teams, the Raiders held Clarkson scoreless on their two opportunities with the man advantage.
• The Raiders improved each period, from allowing 16 shots on goal to Clarkson in the opening period, to holding the Golden Knights to just nine in the next 40:00 of play. Comparatively, the Raiders improved from six shots on goal in the first period to 11 in the third.
THE BOTTOM LINE
• No. 8 Clarkson 2, Colgate 1
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate opens the season with a 0-1-0 record.
• No. 8 Clarkson begins the year 1-0-0 overall.
HEAD COACH DON VAUGHAN'S TAKE
"It was just great to be able to play a game. So many of our colleagues and other student-athletes didn't get the chance to do that this fall. We talked about that as a team prior to the game and wanted to play for every one of them as well as ourselves.
"We felt so fortunate to play. The work that went into getting us to this point has been amazing. The leadership from President Casey and his senior team, to Dean McLoughlin and the Task Force, to our Athletic Director Dr.
Nicki Moore and her administrative staff, to every member of this campus for holding true to the Commitment to Community Health, is why we were able to compete today. We are grateful to each and every one of them.
"As for the game itself, I saw so many positives. Our young guys played well against a Clarkson team that is tough to play against. They are a heavy team. We competed very hard and battled.
"Our third period was our best and we had our chances but came up a little short tonight. We will take a break now and let our guys get off campus to recharge after a very challenging semester academically. We will regroup on December 10. We look forward to adjusting if we have to and playing whatever an ECAC schedule will look like. Things are sure to be fluid but we will be ready when the next opportunity to play comes our way."
UP NEXT
Stay tuned each week as the program announces upcoming nonconference matchups. Announcements can be expected on Tuesdays, while games will be closed to the public until further notice.
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate men's hockey program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateMIH and Instagram at colgate_mih.
