Ice Breaker: Clarkson beats Mercyhurst 5-2 in consolation game

For the second straight day, the second period was Mercyhurst's undoing. Clarkson (3-1-0) scored three goals, including two in the final two minutes of second, to defeat the Lakers by a 5-2 final score at Mariucci Arena.

The Golden Knights never trailed in Saturday's Ice Breaker consolation game. Jeff DiNallo kicked off the scoring for Clarkson 4:03 into the game with his first goal of the season. He was followed in the second Perry D'Arrosso, James Howden and Ben Sexton scoring a power play goal to change a 2-1 game with 1:56 left in the second to a 4-1 contest after 40 minutes.

One bright spot in a losing effort for Mercyhurst (0-2-0) was defenseman Anthony Mastrodicasa scoring both Lakers goals. However, even that had a bit of a sour taste. The sophomore's second came on a 5 minute power play in the third period that was awarded defensive partner Tyler Shiplo was checked from behind. Shiplo had to be helped off the ice, but did skate off under his own power.

Clarkson clamped down afterwards and Simon Bessette added an empty netter for the Golden Knights.

Scoring

First period

CLARKSON Jeff DiNallo (1) (Fossen 4:43)

Second period

CLARKSON Perry D'Arrisso (1) (Burton, Sexton, 6:10)

MERCYHURST Anthony Mastrodicasa (1) (Just, Zay, 7:07)

CLARKSON James Howden (1) (Moor, Sexton, 18:05)

CLARKSON Ben Sexton (1) (Burton, Geiger 19:51 PP)

Third period

MERCYHURST Anthony Mastrodicasa (2) (unassisted, 9:32 PP)

CLARKSON Simon Bessette (unassisted, 19:09 ENG)

Shots

Clarkson 9 - 11 - 9 -- 29

Mercyhurst 6 - 11 - 8 -- 25

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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