Four different Golden Knights scored goals as the Clarkson University Hockey team overcame an early deficit to gain a 4-2 victory over the University of Ottawa in exhibition play before 1,369 fans at Cheel Arena on Sunday evening. Clarkson, under first-year head coach Casey Jones, officially opens the season this Friday when it plays Alaska Anchorage in the opening round of the Kendall Classic in Anchorage.

The Gees-Gees of Ottawa took the opening lead of Sunday’s game with a goal by Alexandre Touchette with 2:18 remaining in the first period. The goal came moments after the Knights had an excellent opportunity to take the lead, but a shot by freshman Joe Zarbo (Grand Island, NY) rang off the post.

Clarkson gained controlled early in the middle frame with a pair of goals 32 seconds apart. At 2:55, sophomore Mike Garlasco (Mahwah, NJ) took a pass in close from senior Nick Tremblay (Candiac, QUE) and lifted the puck just underneath the crossbar

Joe Zarbo intercepted a pass at the Knights’ own blueline and skated in on a breakaway, slipping a shot past the Ottawa goaltender to put the Green and Gold in front at 3:27.

Just over a minute later, however, the Gee-Gees tied the game on a goal by Matthieu Methot at 4:38 to make it 2-2 after 40 minutes.

Clarkson came out strong to start the final period and scored twice in the first six minutes to take the lead. Sophomore defenseman Alex Boak (Norwood, NY) connected for a power-play goal with a shot from the blueline at 3:06 with senior Julien Cayer (Longueuil, QUE) and Joe Zarbo assisting.

At 5:19, Matt Zarbo (Grand Island, NY) closed out the scoring, finishing off an assist from freshman defenseman James Howden (Edgeley, SASK) with a shot from the slot.

The Knights outshot Ottawa 39-27, including a 30-18 margin over the final two periods. Senior Paul Karpowich (Thunder Bay, ONT) posted 25 saves. Aaron Barton made 35 stops for the Gee-Gees.

Clarkson was 1-of-4 on the power play, while Ottawa was 0-of-2 with the man-advantage.