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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
#3 Yale
Players Mentioned
Men's Hockey Edged Late by Third-Ranked Yale
February 20, 2011 | Men's Ice Hockey
PRINCETON (2/20/11) - Rob Kleebaum recorded a hat trick for Princeton but a late Yale goal proved to be the difference as the third-ranked Bulldogs edged the Princeton men's hockey team 5-4 on Sunday afternoon at Hobey Baker Rink in Princeton's regular-season home finale.
Princeton got off to a fast start in the game, scoring three times in the first 13 minutes of the game to build a 3-0 lead. Yale's quick strike offensive bounced right back though and scored three times in the final seven minutes of the period to draw even at 3-3 by the end of the opening stanza.
Rob Kleebaum had two of the three goals, scoring on rebounds at 5:47 and 10:57 at even strength to give Princeton a 2-0 lead. The first goal came with assists from Mike Kramer and Andrew Calof. The second goal came off the rush with Kleebaum taking an initial shot that was saved. Alec Rush got another shot in front and Kleebaum scored on the third rebound. Calof also assisted on the goal.
Princeton made it 3-0 on the power play at 13:38 when Kramer scored his 13th goal of the season on the power play after a pass from Matt Arhontas in front. Derrick Pallis also had an assist and the Tigers held a 3-0 lead.
The three-goal lead lasted less than a minute before Yale got on the scoreboard with its first of two shorthanded goals in a three-minute span. The fist came from Andrew Miller, who had a goal and three assists in the game, as he used a Princeton defender as a screen. The second came at 17:24 as Charles Brockett scored on a breakaway.
Yale drew even with 11 seconds left in the period on Brian O'Neill's power-play goal. Yale worked the puck around the perimeter and fed O'Neill alone at the side of the net for the equalizer.
Princeton regained the lead five minutes into the second period when Kleebaum scored his third of the game and 10th of the season following a pass from Cam Ritchie at the opposite point. Eric Meland also assisted on the goal. The Bulldogs again answered, scoring on the power play at 15:02 as Kenny Agostino capped a nice passing play with his 10th goal of the season.
The final period was played evenly and Yale looked to get the go-ahead goal with six minutes left on a goal from Antoine Laganiere in front, but after a video replay, the goal was deemed to have been kicked in and the game remained tied.
Yale then did take the lead when Chris Cahil scored with 1:53 left on a shot through a screen from the right face-off dot. Princeton pulled goaltender Alan Reynolds looking to even the score but Yale held off a final Princeton push for the one-goal win.
Reynolds made 27 saves in the loss while Yale netminder Ryan Rondeau stopped 36 in the win. Princeton outshot Yale 40-32.
Princeton is now 15-10-2 overall and 10-8-2 in the ECAC following the loss. The Tigers will complete the regular season on the road next weekend at Rensselaer and Union. Princeton remains sixth in the ECAC standings, two points out of third place with a weekend remaining in the regular season.