Box Score

ITHACA, N.Y. – Even with the extra scrutiny of a video review, there was no doubt about it: Cornell had won.

Freshman Jillian Saulnier scored at the 2:10 mark of overtime to give No. 3 Cornell a 2-1 win against Clarkson, setting off a wild celebration in front of more than 1,000 fans at Lynah Rink on Friday night.

The celebration was cut short as the referees decided to review the goal. Saulnier's shot, coming off a centering pass from behind the net by Rebecca Johnston, initially clanged off the post before going in.

Taking more than three minutes to review the goal, referee Carol Weston set the celebration in motion once more when she came out of the video review booth and pointed toward center ice.

Saulnier's goal, the 20th of her season and career, was set up thanks to firm control in the offensive zone by the Big Red and an excellent keep in at the top of the blue line by Laura Fortino. The puck eventually went to Brianne Jenner, who found Johnston behind the net. A quick pass in front to Saulnier got past Clarkson goalie Erica Howe and gave Cornell some revenge for a 5-3 loss in the Golden Knights' home rink in late January.

Cornell (25-3, 19-3 ECAC Hockey) continued its celebration over Clarkson (20-8-5, 14-5-2) when it received the ECAC Hockey regular season championship trophy at center ice. Coach Doug Derraugh walked toward the trophy to take it but instead allowed captains Rebecca Johnston, Chelsea Karpenko, Catherine White and Amanda Young to get the trophy. The team then joined in and posed for pictures on the ice.

The Big Red is now on a six-game winning streak and ended the Knights' streak at the same number. The victory was Cornell's first over Clarkson since Dec. 4, 2010 and improved Cornell to 13-1 in Lynah Rink. Cornell has not lost in February (6-0) and is now 11-1 on Friday night this year.

The tilt between top ECAC teams started out looking like it might be one-sided. Jusut 2:40 into the game, Johnston scored on a terrific individual effort. Taking a faceoff won by Brianne Jenner, Johnston brought the puck into the zone and passed it to herself off the boards. Going behind the net, she came out in front and fired short-side on Howe. The puck got through Howe's pads and gave the Big Red an early 1-0 advantage.

Clarkson kicked it up in the second period as Jamie Lee Rattray found twine on assists from Carly Mercer and Brittany Styner. The Knights also celebrated prematurely as a video review went against them in the second period.

The teams fought to a scoreless third period with Cornell goalie Amanda Mazzotta (11-2) playing stellar hockey in first game back since Jan. 27 when she was hurt at St. Lawrence. She made 27 saves on 28 shots faced including 12 each in the second and third periods. Mazzotta lowered her goals against average to 1.62 and upped her save percentage to .928.

In overtime, the Knights didn't get a shot off as Cornell controlled the entirety of the two minutes. Saulnier's goal came shortly after a saved shot by Jenner and two blocked shots in front by Johnston.

Cornell closes out its regular season at 4 p.m. on Saturday in Lynah Rink when No. 10 St. Lawrence comes to town. The Big Red knocked off the Saints 6-4 in their last meeting in January.