The men’s hockey team (10–11–2, 7–8–1 ECAC) bounced back in a big way on Saturday night with a win over visiting Clarkson at Ingalls Rink. After a disappointing 4–3 overtime loss to St. Lawrence on Friday night, the Elis rebounded with a 5–1 thumping of Clarkson (13–12–5, 7–6–3 ECAC) on Saturday.

Forward Andrew Miller ’13 said it was an important win for the team.

“It was a big difference from last night,” Miller said. “Last night was a tough game for us, and to win one at home in front of our home crowd was a lot of fun. Winning by a 5-1 margin, it’s big for our team.”

Continuing with his recent trend, Allain put Jeff Malcolm ’13 in between the pipes after giving Nick Maricic ’13 the start last night. The move did not seem to pay dividends early on, as the Elis allowed the game’s first goal just two minutes into the opening period. But Malcolm was able to shake it off and keep the Golden Knights off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

“I just try to focus on the next save,” Malcolm said. “You get a bad bounce like that, or whatever it was, I just come back and concentrate on the next save and after that you just kind of get in a rhythm.”

In the first period, Clarkson forward Allan McPherson brought the puck from behind the net and attempted a wrap-around, only to be stuffed by Malcolm. But the Canadian netminder was unable to corral the rebound before McPherson popped it in the net to put the Golden Knights up by one.

However, the Elis evened up the score just four minutes later. After some nice puck movement in the offensive zone, defenseman Tommy Fallen ’15 ended up with the rubber at the point. His shot was saved but the rebound fell to the right side of the net. Waiting there was Miller who grabbed it, made a move around the keeper and put it in for his fifth goal of the year.

The second period was all Brian O’Neill ’12 as the Elis turned the 1–1 tie into a 3–1 advantage. The captain and forward was recently named the January ECAC Player of the Month and showed everybody why in the middle frame.

He got the party started just one minute into the period with his ninth power play goal of the season, tying him for first in the nation in that category. After taking a pass from Jesse Root ’14, O’Neill cut between two defensemen and beat Clarkson goalie Paul Karpowich handily.

His second tally of the period came with only two minutes remaining. This one was made possible by a great find from Miller, who recorded his second point of the night. Standing at the right circle, Miller picked out O’Neill who was moving toward net on the edge of the left circle. Karpowich was helpless as O’Neill finished for the 3–1 lead.

“I really hadn’t seen him before, but when I turned he was calling for it and streaking to the net,” Miller said.

The Bulldogs and Knights went back-and-forth for the first 40 minutes, with the Blue and White holding a narrow 22–20 advantage in shots on goal after two periods. But the Elis closed out the last half of the third period in dominating fashion.

With 8:03 left in the game, Antoine Laganiere ’13 streaked down the middle of the ice sandwiched between two defenders. While Karpowich blocked his shot, the ensuing chaotic scramble in front of the net allowed winger Kenny Agostino ’14 to notch his tenth goal of the season.

18 seconds later, the Bulldogs put the game completely out of reach for the Golden Knights.

Off the edge of the crease, center Clint Bourbonais ’14 took advantage of another scramble in front of the Clarkson goal for the final tally of the night. The Bulldogs outshot the Knights 33–28 and Malcolm finished with 27 saves, likely earning him another start next weekend.

The Elis will travel to New York next weekend to take on Colgate and Cornell.