With one of its most complete efforts of the season the Clarkson University Hockey team opened the New Year on an impressive note defeating rival Rensselaer 6-1 in non-conference action on the Olympic ice at the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid on Saturday night.

The Golden Knights, who snapped a three-game losing skid, improve to 10-8-3 overall. Clarkson will now return to ECAC Hockey action with four straight league games on the road, beginning with next Friday's game at Yale.

Clarkson controlled play throughout against RPI (3-19-1) to gain their second win of the season over the Engineers, outshooting their rivals 27-21. Senior Sam Vigneault scored two goals and two assists and freshman Haralds Egle tallied twice to highlight the Green and Gold's most explosive offensive outing of the season.

Clarkson took advantage of four straight penalties midway through the first period to take a 1-0.

Junior Terrance Amorosa made the Knights' fourth power play of the game count when he connected on a one-timer at the top of the slot just 11 seconds into the man-advantage opportunity for his second goal of the season at 10:46. Freshman Devin Brosseau recorded his 11th assist of the year with the pass to Amorosa. Freshman Nico Sturm also assisted.

The Knights took full control of the game with three scores in the middle frame to hold a commanding 4-0 lead through 40 minutes.

Vigneault began the period scoring with an unassisted breakaway tally at 4:10 for his fifth goal of the season.

Egle connected for his first of the night, finishing off perfect, soft pass from senior Troy Josephs at the top of the crease at 15:37. Vigneault also assisted.

With two seconds left on the power play, Egle fired a shot through the pads of RPI goaltender Cam Hackett from the bottom of the right circle at 18:29 for his fifth goal of the season. Vigneault picked up his team-high 12th assist of the season to set up the score.

The Knights continued to roll in the final frame adding on two more goals.

Vigneault scored his second of the night and sixth of the season with Josephs and senior Jordan Boucher assisting at 11:38.

Junior Ben Dalpe made it 6-0 with his second shorthanded goal of the season, and the Knights' fifth of the year, taking a pass off the glass from junior defenseman Kelly Summers and scoring on a breakaway at 16:55.

RPI spoiled freshman goaltender Jake Kielly's shutout bid with its lone goal with 11 seconds remaining.

Kielly recorded 20 saves in the win.

Clarkson was 2-of-7 on the power play and killed off all three of the Engineers' chances.