In its first game since defeating Colgate 5-1 on December 6th, the Clarkson University Women's Hockey team skated past McGill University 5-0 on Saturday afternoon in Cheel Arena to open the New Year.

The exhibition win over McGill will not count towards the Golden Knights' record which currently stands at 12-6-1 overall and 6-2-1 in ECAC Hockey play heading into the 2015 portion of their schedule.

"It was great to get back on the ice after a lengthy break tonight," said Clarkson Head Coach Matt Desrosiers. "We enjoy having an exhibition game in early January so we can get our legs back underneath us and try a few different things before heading into the second half of the season. We were able to get some players into different situations today as well as work on a couple new forechecks and power-play units. We will be able to get some good video clips to show this week to help us prepare for next weekend's games. McGill is always a very competitive team, so it's great to have them come to Cheel and play."

Clarkson wasted no time shaking the rust off, with freshman Amanda Titus (Stittsville, ONT) scoring just 22 seconds into the contest. Fellow freshman Brielle Bellerive (North Vancouver, BC) and junior assistant captain Olivia Howe (Moose Jaw, SASK) were credited with assists on the goal. Clarkson would add two more goals in the period, with freshman Lauren Lefler (Windsor, ONT) scoring for the first time in a Clarkson uniform at 18:02 and then sophomore Genevieve Bannon (Candiac, QUE) added a third goal with just six seconds left in the first period. Bannon and junior assistant captain Erin Ambrose (Keswick, ONT) had assists on Lefler's goal while Lefler and Cayley Mercer (Exeter, ONT) had the assists on Bannon's goal.

Bannon would score a second goal at 8:52, a shorthanded marker that came with just 2 seconds left on the McGill power-play, with Mercer getting a second assist. Senior Daniella Matteucci (Fruitvale, BC) finished the scoring when she scored from the top. Bannon had an assist to complete a four-point day.

Sophomore McKenzie Johnson (Eden Prairie, MN) started in goal, making 11 saves as she played the first 29:26 of the game. She was replaced mid-way through the second period by senior Jenna Boss (Little Canada, MN) who played the final 31:34, making eight saves to complete the shutout. Clarkson held a 31-19 advantage in shots, and killed all three McGill man-advantage opportunities.

Clarkson was missing junior captain Shannon MacAuley (Mt. Herbert, PEI) and junior assistant captain Renata Fast (Burlington, ONT) who are participating with Team Canada's U22 Team at The Nations Cup in Fussen, Germany. The tournament, which also includes national teams from Germany, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland, is being held from January 3rd through 6th. Clarksona alum Erica Howe '14, the Golden Knights all-time winningest goaltender, is also a part of Team Canada.

Clarkson will return to ECAC Hockey action next weekend when they travel to Colgate and Cornell for games on Friday and Saturday, respectively.