Despite holding over a 2-to-1 advantage in shots, the Clarkson University Hockey team fell in the first-game of its ECAC Hockey Playoff First-Round series to Harvard University, losing to the 10th-seeded Crimson 2-1 at Cheel Arena on Friday night.

Clarkson, which owns a 15-18-2 overall record, and Harvard (10-19-1) will face off in game two of the best-of-three series on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. If the Crimson win, they will advance to the quarterfinal round. If the seventh-seeded Golden Knights win, the teams will play a deciding third game on Sunday afternoon.?Clarkson, which struggled to score goals during the regular season, failed to capitalize on its opportunities against the Crimson, outshooting the visitors 33-18, but getting only one past Harvard’s senior goaltender Ryan Carroll.

The Knights held the edge in play during the first period, outshooting the Crimson 11-4, but it was Harvard which took the leading through the opening 20 minutes. At 3:32, defenseman Danny Biega fired a low shot from the point that found its way through traffic for his 11th goal of the season. Marshall Emerson and Alex Killorn assisted.

After a scoreless second period, Clarkson finally got on the scoreboard early in the third. Freshman defenseman Alex Boak (Norwood, NY) picked up the puck at the right point after a faceoff win by junior Corey Tamblyn (Bobcaygeon, ONT) and fired a puck on net that deflected off a Crimson defender in front and past Carroll for his second goal of the year to tie the game. Freshman Matt Zarbo (Grand Island, NY) also assisted.?A little over five minutes later, Harvard went back on top 2-1 when Michael Biega fired a shot from the bottom of the left circle that just got past the near post for his ninth goal of the season at 9:25. Conor Morrison and Chris Huxley assisted on the game-winner.

Junior Paul Karpowich (Thunder Bay, ONT) faced a season low in shots for Clarkson, making 16 saves. Carroll posted 11 first-period saves, made eight in the second period and close out the game with 13 stops in the third to backstopped the Crimson to their fourth straight win and first victory in Potsdam since November of 2004.

Clarkson was 0-of-2 on the power play and held Harvard scoreless in its lone man-advantage opportunity.