Sacred Heart Preview

Clarkson closes out the first semester with a nonconference game at 4 p.m. Sunday against Atlantic Hockey's Sacred Heart.

Both teams have reversed their fortunes from a year ago. Clarkson won only nine games last year and enters the game with a 9-5-2 overall record. Sacred Heart was 21-13-4 last year but is 2-11-4 so far this season.

Stat of the Day: Sacred Heart's opponents have scored on 32 percent of their power plays this season (31 of 97).

Who to Watch

Clarkson:The Golden Knights have had offensive balance this season. Brandon DeFazio and Matt Zarbo each have six goals. Scott Freeman has scored five goals and Jake Morley and Allan McPherson each have four. Paul Karpowich has played most of the games in net, with a 9-4-2 record and a 2.62 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage. Cody Rosen has started one game and Richie LaVeau has played in two.

Sacred Heart:Eric Delong leads the Pioneers with four goals and eight assists and David Berube has three goals with eight assists. Patrick Knowlton and Matt Gingera each have five goals. Steven Legatto has played in 15 games at goalie with a 2-9-3 record, a 4.77 goals-against average and an .886 save percentage. Olivier St. Onge has an 0-2-1 record with a 5.41 goals-against average and .871 save percentage.

Special Teams Outlook

Clarkson:Clarkson is just 5 of 60 on the power play this season (8.3 percent), but has killed 81 of 93 penalties (87.1). The Golden Knights have four shorthanded goals and have not allowed one. Jake Morley leads the team with two shorthanded goals.

Sacred Heart:The Pioneers are 9 of 75 on the power play (12.0) and, as mentioned above, have struggled killing penalties, going just 66 of 97 (68 percent). The Pioneers have one shorthanded goal, but have allowed two. Patrick Knowlton and Reid MacLeod each have two power-play goals.

Last Meeting:Mac Faulkner scored two power-play goals and Dan Weinrieb made his only career start in goal when Clarkson beat the Pioneers 4-1 in Cheel Arena on Nov. 1, 2003, back in George Roll's first season as head coach. Tristan Lush and Chris Blight also scored.

Stats and Notes:Clarkson is 8-0-2 when it scores first and 9-0-1 if leading or tied after two periods. ... Allan McPherson has scored in three straight games for Clarkson. ... Sacred Heart is 2-2-4 if it scores first and 0-9 if the opposition scores first. If the Pioneers do not lead after one period they are 0-11-1 and they are 2-0-3 when ahead after the first 20 minutes.