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POTSDAM, N.Y. – Junior Jeff DiNallo recorded four points to lead the Clarkson University men's hockey team to a 5-2 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) at Cheel Arena. With the win, the Golden Knights improve to 11-13-4 overall (8-6-2 ECAC Hockey), while the Engineers drop to 9-20-1 (7-9-0 ECAC Hockey).

Just nine seconds after RPI senior Jacob Laliberte (Rockland, ON/Cornwall Colts) gave the visitors a 1-0 lead at 8:30 of the first period, DiNallo (Aurora, ON/Newmarket) answered, redirecting a centering pass from freshman Janick Asselin (Coaticook, PQ/Sherbrooke Cougars) past Rensselaer junior neminder Jason Kasdorf (Winnipeg, MB/Des Moines Bucs). The power-play goal was also assisted by freshman blueliner Kelly Summers (Golden Lake, ON/Carlton Place).

Clarkson took a 2-1 lead just 25 seconds into the second period. Sophomore A.J. Fossen (Maple Grove, MN/Dubuque Fighting Saints) netted his first of the season when his shot deflected over the left shoulder of Kasdorf and over the goal line. Summers made it 3-1 at 5:13 of the second, just four seconds into a power-play opportunity. DiNallo won an offensive zone face-off back to Summers, who scored through a screen.

The Engineers drew to within 3-2 on senior Mark McGowan's (Toronto, ON/Oakville Blades) fourth of the year. RPI turned the Golden Knights over along the right wing boards and the puck popped to McGowan, who skated to the center of the slot and ripped a shot past Clarkson junior goaltender Greg Lewis (Mars, PA/Wenatchee Wild).

Asselin answered for the hosts at 17:41, sticking home his third of the year from junior Pat Megannety (Oakville, ON/Georgetown Raiders) and sophomore Bryan Sinz (Anchorage, AK/Penticton Vees). DiNallo then capped the scoring with 21 seconds to play in the second, tapping in a rebound from point blank range.

RPI saw Drew Melanson (Paramus, NJ/Waterloo Black Hawks), Riley Bourbonnais (Rochester, NY/Lincoln Stars) and Zach Schroeder (Prior Lake, MN/Saint Thomas Academy) pick up assists. Senior Scott Diebold (Buffalo, NY/Tri-City Storm) stopped all nine shots he faced in the third period. Kasdorf (9-14-0) made 16 saves, while Lewis (4-2-0) recorded 24 for Clarkson.

The Engineers are back in action next weekend, when they host Brown and Yale on Friday and Saturday night. Saturday 's game against the Bulldogs is the 38th Annual Big Red Freakout! The Golden Knights visit Princeton and Quinnipiac next weekend.