Ice Breaker: New Hampshire beats Clarkson 4-1 to advance to finals

MINNEAPOLIS- New Hampshire defeated Clarkson 4-1 Friday afternoon in the opening game of the 2013 Ice Breaker Tournament at Mariucci Arena.

Following a feeling out period in the first ten minutes, the Golden Knights (2-1-0) and Wildcats (1-0-0) responded for three goals in a 2:01 span. Eric Knodel opened the scoring for UNH 14:27 into the game, but Clarkson tied it up 83 seconds later when James de Hass scored his first goal on the power play.

New Hampshire rebounded, however, and freshman Tyler Kelleher beat Knights goalie Greg Lewis with 3:32 remaining in the first period to give UNH a 2-1 lead. That was all the Wildcats would need agaisnt Lewis, who made 29 saves in the loss.

Matt Willows and Dan Correale - deflecting a Trevor van Riemsdyk shot 1:54 into the third period - added insurance goals. New Hampshire was helped by Jeff Wyer in net. The senior made a couple saves on Clarkson breakaways as part of his 33 saves Friday night.

New Hampshire faces the winner of Minnesota and Mercyhurst tomorrow (October 12) at 7:00 p.m. CT. Clarkson, meanwhile, faces the loser at 4:00 p.m. CT.

Scoring:

First period:

NEW HAMPSHIRE Eric Knodel (1) (Matt Willows, Kyle Smith 14:27)

CLARKSON James de Hass (1) (Will Frederick, Joe Zarbo 15:50 PP)

NEW HAMPSHIRE Tyler Kelleher (1) (Kevin Guomas 1, 16:28)

Second Period:

NEW HAMPSHIRE Matt Willows (1) (Kyle Smith, Casey Thrush, 3:03)

Third period:

NEW HAMPSHIRE Dann Correale (1) (Trevor van Riemsdyk, 1:54)

Shots:
Clarkson - 12 -9 -13 -- 34
New Hampshire - 8 - 16 - 9 -- 33

Line Combinations:

University of New Hampshire Wildcats

Forwards:

Kevin Guomas (#27) - Grayson Downing (#28) - Tyler Kelleher (#16)

Dalton Speelman (#10) - Nick Sorkin (#21) - Dan Correale (#13)

Casey Thrush (#19) - Kyle Smith (#23) - Matt Willows (#9)

Collin MacDonald (#24) - Jeff Silengo (#18) - Maxim Gaudreault (#14)

Defense:

Eric Knodel (#5) - Trevor van Riemsdyk (#6)

Matias Cleland (#2) - Justin Agosta (#12)

Garrt Quast (#7) - Brett Pesce (#22)

Goalies (bold indicates play)

Jeff Wyer (#35)

Casey DeSmith (#29)

Clarkson University Golden Knights

Forwards

Jarrett Burton (#20) - Ben Sexton (#14) - T.J. Moor (#15)

Joe Zarbo (#27) - Allan McPherson (#9) - Pat Megannety (#32)

A.J. Fossen (#26) - Jeff DiNallo (#29) - Will Frederick (#37)

Troy Josephs (#16) - Matt Zarbo (#21) - Christian Powers (#18)

Defense

Paul Geiger (#3) - Kevin Tansey (#10)

James de Haas (#2) - Alex Boak (#5)

Sam Labrecque (#4) - James Howden (#23)

Goalies (bold indicates starter)

Steve Perry (#1)

Greg Lewis (#33)

Ville Runola (#34)

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Nathan Wells is a college hockey columnist for SB Nation and College Hockey News. You can also follow him on Twitter -- Follow @gopherstate