October 20, 2006

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7 – 0) finished their five week road trip with an exciting 3 to 2 overtime victory over the Clemson Tigers in Greenville, South Carolina.

The Jackets scored the tying goal with just 13.9 seconds left in the third period and then scored just :38 seconds into the overtime period.

GT completed their longest road trip of the year (seven games) with the victory and a perfect 7-0 to open the season.

The game featured many scoring opportunities for both schools, but goal keeping was outstanding and kept the game close.

The rink in Greenville is smaller than regulation and speed dominated the play. But excellent fore-checking by both Clemson and Tech made for some very exciting moments.

Clemson opened the scoring in the 1st period on a 3-3 situation and scored on a rebound shot to take the 1-0 lead that held for the balance of the period.

Tech scored early in period two on a four on three power play goal from the point by Freshman Austin Kaase. The assist went to first year player Andy DiChirico.

That was the only scoring in period two and the scored reminded tied until 15 minutes left in period three when the Tigers scored on some great passing and a defensive lapse that gave Clemson a 2-1 lead.

It appeared that the lead would hold up, but the Jackets scored the tying goal with just 13.9 seconds in the game when Austin Kaase scored his second goal of the game on a sniper shot from the point off the face-off. It was shot through traffic since Tech had a 6 on 3 advantage. Tom Porter got the assist.

Early in the OT period, Brendan O’Leary shot from top of the key and got the game winning goal past the Clemson goalie. Sharp passing from Mike Zuacha and B.J. Stapleton (both got assists) set up the play.

Tech out shot Clemson 4-0 in the OT period and for the game 44-36.

GT goalie Nick Rice played an outstanding game in net and had 34 saves.