Clarkson Hockey News

Knights Clinch 1st-Round Bye Behind Cayer's Four-Point Effort

February 16, 2007

David Cayer celebrates a Clarkson goal against Union. Cayer finished with four points (1-3) in the Knights' 20th win of the year - photo by Chris Lenney

Flash ReCap

Junior right wing David Cayer (Longueuil, QUE) tallied a goal and three assists to pace an explosive offensive effort as Clarkson University clinched a first-round bye in the upcoming ECAC Hockey League playoffs by defeating Union College 6-2 before 2,799 fans at Cheel Arena on Friday night. Ranked 9th in the nation, the Golden Knights have won four straight to keep pace with ECACHL front-runner St. Lawrence for the league’s regular-season title. With three games remaining on the schedule, Clarkson stands in second place in the league with a 12-4-3 ECACHL mark, just two points out of first. The Knights reached the 20-win mark for the first time in six seasons, owning a 20-7-4 overall record. Clarkson hosts Rensselaer on Saturday to close out a four-game home stand.There was plenty of action to start the first period with Clarkson building a 2-0 lead before the Dutchmen came back with a late power-play tally to make it 2-1 after the opening 20 minutes. At 2:47, during a delayed Golden Knights penalty, Clarkson scored into an empty net, with sophomore Chris D’Alvise (Mississauga, ONT) getting credit for the goal. Union junior goaltender Justin Mrazek left his net for the extra attacker, but pressure by D’Alvise forced a turnover in front that caused the puck to slide into the empty net, giving Clarkson the early momentum.

The Dutchmen had an excellent opportunity to tie the game when Clarkson was called for a penalty shot at 7:23, but junior goaltender David Leggio (Williamsville, NY) smothered a shot by freshman Jason Walters to preserve the Knights’ lead. Clarkson, which squandered a full two-minute, two-man advantage minutes later, gained a 2-0 lead at 14:10. Junior Shawn Weller (South Glens Falls, NY) finished off a perfect pass through the crease by Cayer for a power-play tally and his 15th goal of the season. Junior Steve Zalewski (New Hartford, NY) also assisted.

Union (13-15-3, 6-12-1) got on the scoreboard with 1:59 remaining in the stanza when Matt Cook connected for a power-play goal off assists from Josh Coyle and Olivier Bouchard.

The Knights wasted little time to start the second, scoring twice in a span of 57 seconds. Senior Mike Sullivan (Stouffville, ONT) finished off passes from Cayer and junior captain Nick Dodge (Oakville, ONT) at 1:28 for his seventh goal of the year. Dodge netted his 15th of the season, a power-play marker at 2:25 to give the Green and Gold a 4-1 lead.

Bouchard put a temporary halt to Clarkson’s barrage with a power-play goal at 11:08, his 10th goal of the season.

D’Alvise put the Knights back on top by three with his second goal of the contest and 13th of the year with sophomores Tyrell Mason (Dawson Creek, BC) and Shea Guthrie (Carleton Place, ONT) assisting at 17:19.

Cayer closed out the scoring at 17:31 of the third period with his first goal in 15 games and his 10th of the year. Guthrie and Dodge assisted.

Clarkson out shot Union 33-27. Leggio finished with 25 saves, including 12 in the first period. Mrazek posted 27 stops. Both teams were 2-of-5 on the power play.


Clarkson University President Tony Collins presents former Golden Knights all-star and current NHL standout Erik Cole with a replica of his #21 jersey during a ceremony, between the second and third periods, Friday, honoring Cole's championship season with the Carolina Hurricanes.