A pair of goals eighty-six seconds apart midway through third period and a strong defensive effort lifted the Clarkson University Hockey team to a season-opening 3-1 win on the road over Niagara University on Friday night.

The Golden Knights, who rallied from a 1-0 deficit early in the second period to gain their third consecutive victory over the Purple Eagles at Dwyer Arena, will play at RIT on Saturday in a 7:05 p.m. start to close out the non-league weekend in Western New York.

Senior Joe Zarbo (Grand Island, NY), freshman Sam Vigneault (Baie-Comeau, QUE) and sophomore defenseman James de Haas (Mississauga, ONT) scored the goals for the Green and Gold, while sophomore goaltender Steve Perry (Ligonier, PA) made 12 saves behind a solid Clarkson defensive effort in the road victory. Zarbo and de Haas also added assists for two-point outings.

The Knights outshot Niagara 28-13, limiting the Purple Eagles to just three shots over the final 20 minutes on their home ice.

After a scoreless first period, the Purple Eagles took advantage of a broken play in the Clarkson end early in second period and grabbed the opening lead just 1:55 in on a goal by Robert Angiolella.

The Knights, who outshot Niagara by a 2-to-1 margin through the first 40 minutes, finally got on the scoreboard with their first goal of the season late in the middle frame. With just 61 seconds remaining in the period, Zarbo finished off a sharp passing combination from assistant captains, junior Jeff DiNallo (Aurora, ONT) and senior defenseman James Howden (Edgeley, SASK) for his 23rd career goal.

Clarkson controlled play in the third stanza and grabbed the lead with two quick tallies midway through the period. Vigneault connected for the game-winner at 10:32, knocking in a rebound off a shot by sophomore Jordan Boucher (St. Therese, QUE). After a lengthy review by the officials, the goal stood and the freshman celebrated his first career point. de Haas also picked up an assist.

At 11:58, de Haas followed with his seventh career goal, taking a pass from freshman Janick Asselin (Coaticook, QUE) and firing in a wrist shot for the insurance score. Zarbo also assisted.

Clarkson went 0-of-3 on the power play, while Niagara was 0-of-2 with the man-advantage.