Northern Michigan Preview
Clarkson (4-10-2 overall) returns to action for the first time since Dec. 5 when it faces Northern Michigan (7-8-4) in a semifinal of the Dodge Holiday Classic at Minnesota's Mariucci Arena at 5:07 p.m. today.
The Golden Knights will play either Minnesota (8-9-1) or Bowling Green (2-14-2) in the championship or consolation game tomorrow. The consolation game will start at 5:07 p.m. and the championship game at 8:07 p.m. (It's possible if Minnesota loses today that it could play in the 8:07 p.m. game).
Stat of the Night
Clarkson has fared much better in regular-season tournaments of late. The Golden Knights have reached the championship game in three of the last four tournaments, winning the title at the Badger Showdown in Madison, Wisc., during the 2006-07 season. Prior to this run, Clarkson had lost the opening game of in-season tournaments six straight times.
Who to Watch
Clarkson: Bryan Rufenach will need to play a key role if Clarkson is going to start inching closer to a .500 record. When Rufenach has played well, especially on the offensive end, Clarkson has usually done well. He has four goals with seven assists and ranks sixth on the team in scoring. Clarkson is 2-1-1 in the games where he's scored a goal and is 2-1 in games where he's picked up more than one point.
Northern Michigan: The Wildcats are led by junior forward Mark Olver, a draft choice of the Colorado Avalanche. Olver has 10 goals and 11 assists and with 21 points has played a roll in 42 percent of his team's 50 goals this season. Olver also has five of the team's 16 power-play scores. He's six points shy of reaching 100 for his career.
Last Meeting
Clarkson picked up a 2-1 win at Northern Michigan on Oct. 23, 1999. Northern Michigan had won a game 3-2 at Cheel Arena the previous season and the Wildcats hold a 4-3 overall edge in the series.
Stats and Notes
Don't be surprised if someone scores a shorthanded goal in this game. Both Clarkson and the Wildcats have allowed three this season. ... Clarkson will be short one coach for the rest of the year as Jean-Francois Houle became the head coach of the Lewiston MAINEiacs major junior team in late December. The Golden Knights did add one player in Finnish forward Markus Piispanen, who will wear No. 20. ... Both teams have not done well this year when they have not had a lead after two periods. Clarkson is 1-10-2 if trailing or tied after two and the Wildcats are 1-8-2 in the same scenario. ... Second periods have been a disaster for Clarkson throughout the season as the Golden Knights have been outscored 29-11. ... Clarkson's Julien Cayer has done well in the faceoff circle this season, winning 46 of 76 attempts for a .605 win percentage.
