Clarkson Notes

Patrick McEachen and Jordan Ciccarello have been suspended by Clarkson University for the 2009-10 school year according to a few sources at the school.

Clarkson's Vice President of External Relations, Kelly Chezum, said the school cannot officially release the status of the two, other than to say they are not currently enrolled as students.

"We don't share the specific disciplinary status, but they are not currently enrolled at Clarkson," Chezum said.

The duo, along with a future recruit, Demetri Sakaris, were in Potsdam Village Court in early September for a scheduled arraignment on charges of sexual misconduct and child endangerment of a 16-year-old girl. The incident occurred during Clarkson's Hockey School back in July.

Both players have the option of playing junior hockey somewhere this season.

They cannot compete anywhere collegiately, unless it's at the NCAA Division III level.

If either player wants to transfer they'll have to spend at least one year as a student at the institution before they play a game.

The trio will face legal action sometime in the future.

Fast Start for Beca

Senior Matt Beca scored one goal in both games against Michigan State last weekend.

Last year the start for Beca wasn't as good. He scored on opening night against the Rochester Institute of Technology, then went four straight games without a point.

A consistent player throughout his career, Beca came back and emerged as one of Clarkson's top scorers, finishing with 11 goals and 13 assists.

"It's nice to get a goal or two early and get the weight off your shoulders," Beca said. "The longer it goes, the more you start squeezing the stick a little bit tighter, and stuff like that."

Beca is playing with his third different set of linemates this year.

He spent the early part of his career on a line with Steve Zalewski and last year was on a line with Chris D'Alvise and Shea Guthrie.

He was on a line with Brandon DeFazio and Lauri Tuohimaa for Clarkson's exhibition game against the University of Toronto. Last weekend Peter Massar took Tuohimaa's place on the line.

"The first couple years playing with Zalewski was nice," Beca said. "Last year kind of started over with D'Alvise and this year me and DeFazio have been together. We've been rotating through centers right now, but we'll find the right combination. It helps with everyone, just in case."

Pizzo Tries Forward

With a few players missing last weekend's game for disciplinary reasons, junior defenseman Tom Pizzo found himself playing forward on Clarkson's checking line with Matt Wilson and Corey Tamblyn.

"It was a little different kind of awareness up there," Pizzo said. "Instead of trying to hit guys, guys were trying to kill you. I liked it though. It gave me a little more perspective in the game. It was good to learn more of the forward systems and it gives you more of an insight, too, on playing defense."

Early in Friday's game against Michigan State Pizzo was knocked to the ice by the Spartans Matt Crandall shortly after receiving a pass.

"That rang my bell," Pizzo said. "I was coming in and I didn't expect to get the pass. You just take your licks and keep going."

RIT Impresses

Some may have wondered how RIT would fare when it changed from the Division III level to Division I after the 2004-05 season.

But it was only one year of struggling for the Tigers, who went 6-22-2 in 2005-06. Since that point RIT has gone 63-37-10 and has come close to making the NCAA Tournament.

Clarkson coach George Roll, who was a Bowling Green teammate of Tigers coach Wayne Wilson, along with assistant coach Brian Hills, is not surprised.

"They are very good hockey guys," Roll said. "They've gone with older kids. They get a lot of 20-year-old freshmen and that makes a big difference in terms of ability to step in and play right away. They've earned their success. They are the type of guys who do their homework and are very good in the recruiting area."

Roll also competed against the Tigers in his former job as head coach at SUNY Oswego.

"They've always played with a lot of energy," Roll said. "It's always a physical game. I don't think that's changed one bit. Obviously their talent level is better now."

Zalewski Fans

Several of Clarkson's current players were on the team for the final years of Steve Zalewski's career, so his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks on Monday night was also watched in Potsdam.

"It's awesome," said Beca, a former linemate. "I texted him and he said he was excited. We watched it on the Center Ice package. It was pretty cool watching him out there."

Said Roll, "I was excited for Steve. He comes from a great family and he was a big part of our success here. That was his goal all along from the minute he walked on campus, to get a degree and get to the NHL. It just shows you what hard work and commitment can do. It's just a great thing for a quality guy."