The best season in 10 years for the Clarkson University Hockey team came to a close on Friday night as the Golden Knights fell to Providence College 1-0 in the first round of the NCAA East Regional in Bridgeport, CT.

The Golden Knights, who made their first showing in the the NCAA Tournament since 2008, closed out the 2017-18 campaign with a 23-11-6 record.

Clarkson found it tough to defeat a team three times in a season, and when that foe was a Top-10 team, the task was even more difficult. The Knights shut out Providence 4-0 at Cheel Arena back on October 21 and claimed the championship of the Friendship Four Tournament in Belfast, Northern Ireland on November 25 with a 4-2 triumph, but could not generate another victory over the Friars at Webster Bank Arena.

Making its fifth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Providence struck for an early power-play goal and smothered the Knights' offense, limiting the Green and Gold to a season-low 18 shots on net.

The Friars' Kasper Bjorkqvist scored the game's only goal, connecting on a shot download at the side of the net for a power-play marker at 4:02 of the first period. That goal would stand for the remainder of the NCAA playoff game.

Clarkson could never quite get its high-powered offense in gear against Providence with only eight shots in the first period, seven in the middle frame and just three over the final 20 minutes. Junior defenseman Aaron Thow (Toronto, ONT) recorded a team-high three shots on goal. The Knights' best scoring opportunity of the night came on a one-timer, while on the power play by sophomore Devin Brosseau (St. Lambert, QUE) early in the second period. Providence goaltender Hayden Hawkey, however, robbed the Clarkson assistant captain with a big glove save to keep the Knights off the scoreboard.

Sophomore Jake Kielly (Eden Prairie, MN) gave Clarkson a chance to pull out the win with a 27-save effort, including 13 stops in the first period.

The Knights' highly-rated power play never really had the opportunity to get rolling with just two man-advantage chances for the night. Clarkson killed off all four of the Friars' power plays.

Clarkson, which has made 21 appearance in the NCAA Tournament, has allowed only five combined goals in its last four tournament games.

Providence advances to face Notre Dame in the East Regional final on Saturday with the winner moving on to the Frozen Four in St. Paul, MN on April 5 and 7.