Series of the Week: Cornell vs. Clarkson

Story posted February 7, 2018 in CommRadio, Sports by Chris Hess

In perhaps one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the ECAC season and in all of college hockey, Cornell will be traveling to Clarkson for a Friday night duel.

Cornell has been one of the most dominant teams in the country entering this game with a record of 19-3-1 while sitting at No. 3 in the USCHO polls and No. 4 in the PairWise rankings.

The Big Red enter the Clarkson game averaging over three goals per game while surrendering an average of just over one and a half goals per game.

Cornell’s stout offense is led by junior forward Anthony Angello.

The 2014 fifth round selection of the Pittsburgh Penguins has lit the lamp 12 times this season while also leading the team in points with 21.

In addition to Angello’s explosive play, junior forward Jeff Malott’s smooth passing gives Cornell ample opportunities to score at any time.

Malott will have to really step up in order to replace junior captain Mitch Vanderlaan who went down with an undisclosed injury in an upset loss to RPI last week.

In net, Matthew Galadja has been having himself a stellar 2017-2018 campaign.

The freshman net-minder has allowed 29 goals, giving up an average of 1.61 goals per game, saving 416 shots, racking up a save percentage of .935 and holding an impressive record of 15-2-1.

For the Clarkson Golden Knights, they are looking to return to their winning ways after losing at Quinnipiac and Princeton by the scores of 4-1 and 4-3 respectively last weekend.

Clarkson enters this game with a record of 19-6-3 after sliding from No. 3 to No. 7 in the USCHO polls while also being ranked No. 7 in the PairWise rankings.

The Golden Knights were easily one of the most dangerous teams in the country both offensively and defensively at one point.

However, they average about three goals per game while also surrendering just under two goals per game after a tough 1-3-2 stretch.

Clarkson is desperately trying to return to its dominant status it once had during the beginning of the season.

The Golden Knights were once 18-3-1 in mid-January.

During those 22 games, Clarkson won 14 games in a row from Nov. 3 to Jan. 13 and rode a 15-game unbeaten streak from November 3rd to January 19th.

Sophomore forward Sheldon Rempal is easily Clarkson’s most dangerous player.

He has scored 18 goals while tallying 12 assists which is good for a total of 30 points and the most on the team.

Sophomore forward Devin Brosseau is also an extremely intricate part of Clarkson’s lineup.

The smooth stick handler has shared the wealth this season by rounding up 19 assists and his play will be a determining factor in this contest.

In addition to Brosseau, Jack Jacome, Kelly Summers, Nico Sturm, and Terrance Amorosa have been able to assist a majority of the goals this season.

Jacome, Summers, Sturm, and Amorosa have combined for 68 assists on 92 goals scored.

In net, Jake Kielly has been playing well for the Golden Knights.

The sophomore netminder has given up 47 goals, saving 670 shots, allowing 1.74 goals per game, racking up a save percentage of .934 while holding a record of 18-6-3.

This game holds serious ECAC title implications because it’s No. 1 versus No. 2 in the standings.

Cornell has a total of 27 points and Clarkson has a total of 24 points.

Cornell was embarrassed on their home ice by the Golden Knights 4-0 earlier this season.

The Big Red have come a long way since then and Clarkson has lost a bit of their stride.

This game has the potential to be one of the best games of the season as the race to an ECAC championship heats up.

Advantage: Cornell

 

Christopher Hess is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism and minoring in history. To contact him, email christopherhess22@gmail.com.