With one of its most complete efforts of the year the Clarkson University Hockey team extended its season by defeating Rensselaer 5-0 in Game 2 of their ECAC Hockey first round series at Cheel Arena on Saturday night. With the win, the Golden Knights force a deciding Game 3 on Sunday, at 7:00 p.m.

Clarkson, which broke out of a seven-game winless skid (0-6-1), improves its record to 12-19-5. If the Knights win Sunday's deciding Game 3 they will advance to the quarterfinal round to face archrival St. Lawrence at Appleton Arena in Canton next weekend.

RPI (11-24-3) won Game 1 3-2 on Friday.

Sophomore Steve Perry (Ligonier, PA) made 24 saves for his second career shutout in postseason play to backstop another stingy defensive effort by the Green and Gold.

Senior Joe Zarbo (Grand Island, NY) paced a balanced offensive effort with a two-goal night. Sophomore Troy Josephs (Whitby, ONT) and freshman Sam Vigneault (Baie-Comeau, QUE) both tallied one goal and one assist. Junior Jeff DiNallo (Aurora, ONT) also scored a goal in Clarkson's most productive outing since defeating RPI 5-2 on February 7.

Clarkson looking to tie the series came out strong and scored the opening goal just 95 seconds in when DiNallo finished off a 2-on-1 from freshman Janick Asselin (Coaticook, QUE) for his sixth goal of the season.

The Knights built their lead to 3-0 after 40 minutes with a pair of goals early in the middle frame.

Zarbo tallied at 1:17 when he one-timed a pass out of the corner by freshman defenseman Terrance Amorosa (Kirkland, ONT) on a shot from the slot. Junior Pat Megannety also assisted.

Clarkson took the three-goal advantage when Josephs finished off a rush with linemates sophomore A.J. Fossen (Maple Grove, MN) and Vigneault assisting at 4:25 for his third goal of the year.

Vigneault continued the Knights' momentum when he scored his sixth goal of the season just 26 seconds into the final frame. Fossen, with his second assist of the game, and Josephs set up the goal.

Zarbo closed out the scoring with his team-high 11th goal of his senior campaign at 13:01. Megannety recorded his second assist on the goal, while freshman Brett Gervais (Corona, CA) also set up the goal.

Clarkson outshot the Engineers 32-24.

Jason Kasdorf started in the Engineers' crease and made 24 saves on 28 shots before leaving after the Knights' fourth goal. Scott Diebold played the final 19 minutes for RPI and made three saves on four shots.

Both teams were 0-of-4 on the power play.

Standout freshman defenseman Kelly Summers (Golden Lake, ONT) left the game with 8:40 remaining in the first period and was helped off the ice after suffering an injury during a collision with an RPI player in front of the Clarkson bench.