POTSDAM, N.Y. – Despite tying the game twice, the Colgate men's hockey program narrowly fell to No. 13/15 Clarkson on Sunday evening by a score of 3-2. Seniors
Josh McKechney and
Evan Tschumi scored as the Raiders battled through the final horn.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The game started out with a couple of early stops by
Carter Gylander, but Colgate got equal looks at the net by
Elliott McDermott and
Josh McKechney. Midway through the stanza, Clarkson made a play up the boards for a 1-0 lead, but it didn't last for long as
Josh McKechney quickly answered with his fourth in the last six games to make it 1-1.
Colgate was granted a couple of big chances as Clarkson was whistled for a major, along with another 2:00 penalty shortly thereafter. With the edge, Colgate was able to complete the remainder of the period on the man advantage as it searched for the go-ahead goal.
Returning to the second period armed with another 48 seconds of power play action, Colgate looked to edge ahead in the matchup. After Clarkson returned to full strength, the Raiders faced their first penalty kill test of the night and while it was successful, it would be the second that was detrimental as Clarkson gained a 2-1 lead with a power play tally.
Through the remainder of the session the Raiders had strong offensive chances, but they headed into the final 20:00 still facing a one-goal deficit.
Armed with another 35 seconds of power play, the Raiders looked to make an impact early in the third period. After Clarkson returned to full strength, Gylander was forced to make some serious stops to keep Colgate within one.
Midway through,
Evan Tschumi was the one to notch the one-timer through traffic to even the score at 2-2. The elation didn't stand for long though, as Clarkson responded just two minutes later to regain the lead.
As the clock ticked down in a 3-2 game, the Raiders gained 26 seconds of a 5-on-3 advantage. Although they presented a strong power play with several charges at the net, the team's returned to 5-on-5 play with Colgate still behind by one.
Looking to capitalize on the recent offensive momentum, the Raiders opted for the extra attacker for the final 2:34. Spending majority of the remaining time in the Clarkson zone, the Raiders peppered the net, but were unable to find the tying goal as the horn sounded on the 3-2 final.
COLGATE SCORING PLAYS
• Period 1 | 12:28 – Driving into the zone,
Pierson Brandon dumped the puck down low. Wrapping around the net,
Evan Tschumi was able to get it out front, where
Josh McKechney hammered it home at the edge of the crease.
• Period 3 | 07:14 – After a battle along the boards,
Tyler Jeanson was able to pick the puck off the stick of a Golden Knight. He centered the puck to Tschumi high in the slot, while his one-timer soared through traffic to tie the game at 2-2.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• After recording a shorthanded goal against Clarkson on Friday, senior
Josh McKechney followed it up with an even strength tally to tie the game at 1-1. The goal marked his fourth in the last six games.
• Earning the second multi-point game of his career was senior
Evan Tschumi as he posted a tying goal at 2-2 and marking the primary apple on McKechney's goal. The goal also marked his first of the season and first since at Union (Feb. 15, 2020).
• Ultimately, Colgate outshot Clarkson by a 23-21 margin behind a game-high of 10 shots on goal in the third period.
• Between the pipes, first-year netminder
Carter Gylander recorded 18 saves, including a game-high of seven in the second period.
• With an apple on the opening goal, first-year defenseman
Pierson Brandon matches the team-high of seven assists on the year.
THE BOTTOM LINE
• No. 13/15 Clarkson 3, Colgate 2
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate holds a 5-9-5 record, and a 4-8-4 mark in ECAC Hockey action.
• No. 13/15 Clarkson is 11-7-4 overall on the season and is 6-4-4 in ECAC play.
HEAD COACH DON VAUGHAN'S TAKE
"I was very pleased with our effort tonight. We had our opportunities but just didn't convert on our chances. Our guys are learning a lot about themselves and what it takes to win in this league.
"It's been a crazy year. We will have played two top-15 teams in the nation a combined total of 14 times after next weekend. This is a huge learning curve for us and we are very close to breaking out."
UP NEXT
Colgate concludes the regular season next weekend with a road series at Quinnipiac. The two-game series starts with a 6 p.m. puck drop on Friday, before rounding out the season on Saturday at 4 p.m.
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate men's hockey program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateMIH and Instagram at colgate_mih.
