Box Score (PDF)
 
ITHACA, N.Y. — Freshman defenseman Alec McCrea had a goal and two assists and was among the #14/15 Cornell men's hockey team's five goal-scorers in a 5-2 victory over Clarkson on Saturday night at Lynah Rink. The Big Red extended its unbeaten streak to seven games with the victory, improving to 8-1-2 overall and 6-1-1 in ECAC Hockey as it enters the semester break.
 
Playing in just his second game since returning from injury, John Knisley opened the scoring off a pass from Eric Freschi. Holden Anderson's smart angled dump-in created some confusion near the Clarkson goal, and Freschi beat his man to the puck before setting up Knisley. The goal marked the seventh time in seven home games this season that Cornell has scored in the first seven minutes of the game.
 
Though Clarkson (7-6-2, 0-5-2) tied the game on Sam Vigneault's goal on the rush four minutes later, Christian Hilbrich restored Cornell's lead before the first intermission. It was the first of McCrea's assists, as he gained control of the puck after a pass intended for him was broken up. McCrea set up shop behind the goal and waited for the 6-foot-7 Hilbrich to get open, and he jammed the puck inside the far post at the 17:33 mark.
 
The second period saw a drastically quicker pace, but with few quality scoring chances. The Big Red killed off two Clarkson power plays in succession in the final five minutes, then caught a break when Vignault's shot from the right circle glanced the post and went above the glass with 9.3 seconds left. Vigneault then won the ensuing face off and the Golden Knights had an ominous-looking one-timer set up from the left point. But the defender mistimed the effort and the puck caromed into his feet. Anthony Angello alertly pounced and sprinted away on a clean breakaway. With the neighboring Cornell bench yelling to warn him of the expiring time, Angello snapped a shot below the blocker of Clarkson goalie Greg Lewis, off the post and into the net. Video replay confirmed it was a good goal with just 0.4 seconds remaining on the clock.
 
McCrea turned the game into a rout with his first collegiate goal just 2:38 into the third — a shot that zipped through traffic and between Lewis' legs. About nine minutes later, his shot from a similar location was deflected in by classmate Mitch Vanderlaan to help Cornell tie a season-high for goals in a game. McCrea is the also first Cornell player to have three points in a game this season.
 
Mitch Gillam made 20 saves to earn the victory. Cornell is now unbeaten in seven straight for the first time since Feb. 3-24, 2012. The Big Red penalty kill was also once again perfect on the evening, having now killed off 19 consecutive power-play opportunities from its opposition.
 
The Big Red will be idle for 23 days due to final exams and a brief holiday break before reconvening for the Florida College Classic. Cornell opens the tournament at 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 28 against defending national champion and top-ranked Providence, then Boston College or Ohio State the following night.