POTSDAM, N.Y. - Just 59 seconds into overtime, Clarkson's Dan Tuttle scored the game-winning goal to give the No. 13 Golden Knights a 2-1 win over UMass in the Minutemen's season-opener. Justin Braun scored the lone goal in the second period for UMass. Clarkson scored a power play goal in the third and the game-winner in OT. The Minutemen will face St. Lawrence on Saturday at 7 p.m.
The game was even throughout the first period with both teams firing nine shots and escaping the frame with a 0-0 tie at the first intermission.
Braun put the Minutemen on top in the second despite a large 13-to-4 shot margin in favor of Clarkson. He gave the Minutemen a 1-0 lead at 13:45 of the second period after a two previous UMass shots were blocked in the offensive zone. Cory Quirk was credited with the assist. The goal was the first of the season and fifth for Braun's career, while Quirk earned his 24th career assist.
A UMass penalty with eight seconds remaining in the second period proved costly in the third as Clarkson started out on a power play. Senior captain Nick Dodge converted on an odd-man rush to tie the game at 1-1 just 53 seconds into the period. Steve Zalewski and David Cayer were each credited with assists. The goal was Dodge's 42nd career goal which game him 100 career points - he finished the night with an assist on the game-winner as well.
With under a minute to play, UMass pushed the puck back into its offensive zone and let loose a flurry of shots, but could not connect forcing the overtime period.
The Minutemen had two power play opportunities, but could not convert. Clarkson converted one of its power play opportunities.
Freshman Paul Dainton made the start in goal for UMass and made 31 saves including several point-blank stops late in the game. David Leggio made 18 saves for Clarkson.
Clarkson finished the game with a significant shot advantage over the Minutemen, 33-to-19, including a 13-to-4 advantage in the second and a 9-to-6 edge in the third.
Cayer and Dodge led all players with two points each for the night as Cayer set-up both goals for the Golden Knights.