Men’s Hockey Series of the Week
After dismantling Union College 4-1 and RPI 3-0 last Friday and Saturday respectively, the Clarkson Golden Knights are riding high into Friday’s showdown with the scrappy Harvard Crimson.
The Golden Knights rose to No. 2 in the country in the USCHO polls after St. Cloud State split with Western Michigan last weekend. They are still behind No. 1 Notre Dame by a significant margin.
Clarkson enters this game with a record of 18-3-1 and they haven’t lost since October 28th when they lost to Minnesota. Harvard enters the game with a record of 8-6-3 but they have a six-game unbeaten streak.
The Golden Knights are easily one of the most dangerous teams in the country both offensively and defensively. They average about 3.5 goals per game while surrendering just over 1 goal per game.
Sophomore forward Sheldon Rempal is easily the Golden Knights’ most dangerous player. He has scored 16 goals while tallying 12 assists which is good for a total of 28 points and the most on the team.
Sophomore forward Devin Brosseau is also an extremely intricate part to Clarkson’s lethal 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 Friday night’s contest.
In net, sophomore netminder Jake Kielly has been playing lights-out for the Golden Knights.
Kielly has given up 28 goals, saving 528 shots, allowing 1.33 goals per game, racking up a save percentage of .950 while holding a record of
17-3-1 with six shutouts.
Harvard averages exactly 3 goals per game while giving up a hair under 3 goals per game. At times, a lack of defensive production and inconsistency on the ice have been problems for this team throughout the season.
Junior forward Ryan Donato has been the Crimson’s most explosive player this year. The Boston Bruins draft pick has scored 17 goals while also accumulating 8 assists.
Clarkson will most likely try and minimize his role in the game and take away any possibility of Donato even sniffing a shot on goal.
Sophomore defensemen Adam Fox hasn’t scored a goal this season but has gathered 10 assists alongside junior forward Lewis Zerter-Gossage.
Both players will have to step up in a big way if Harvard wants to have a chance of upsetting the No. 2 team in the country.
In net, Harvard relies heavily on senior goalie Merrick Madsen.
In 14 games, Madsen has given up 28 goals, saving 361 shots, allowing 2.06 goals per game, accumulating a save percentage of .928, and holding a record of 6-5-3.
Junior Michael Lackey has also seen action in four games in net for the Crimson.
Lackey has given up 9 goals, saving 98 shots, allowing 2.48 goals per game, holding a save percentage of .916, and has a record of 2-1.
If Harvard wants to come out on top, they will have to play almost a perfect game against one of the nation’s best.
Clarkson is undefeated in conference play and the tundra of Northern New York can be a dangerous environment for any team to enter.
Advantage: Clarkson
Christopher Hess is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email christopherhess22@gmail.com
