Union fends off Penn State, 4-3

by Ryan Fay

Box Score

For the fifth time this season, Union blew a lead.

But unlike the other four games, the #15 Dutchmen won this one, 4-3 over Penn State Saturday at the Pegula Ice Arena.

Max Novak came through for Union, which saw Penn State score three unanswered goals to erase a 3-0 deficit.

Novak broke a 3-3 tie, recording the game-winner on assists from Daniel Ciampini and Alex Gonye at 13:10 of the third period. Gonye's assist was the first point of the freshman's collegiate career.

Union, which was off last week due to final exams, went 0-2-2 in the other four contests where they blew a lead this season.

The Dutchmen appeared to have the game in the bag when Ciampini scored a power play goal at 15:53 of the second period to make it 3-0. But things aren't always what they appear, and the Nittany Lions roared back.

Eric Scheid put Penn State on the board with a power play goal with 23 seconds left in the second period. Ex-Rensselaer defenseman Pat Koudys made it a one goal game at 7:13 of the third period before Kenny Brooks registered the equalizer at 10:21.

Union (7-3-2) took a 1-0 lead at 11:11 of the first period when Kevin Sullivan collected his first goal of the season. Sullivan, who has a team-high 13 assists, was assisted by Matt Wilkins and Eli Lichtenwald.

Jeff Taylor extended Union's lead to 2-0 at 1:18 of the second period with helpers from Michael Pontarelli and Matt Hatch. The assist ended a six-game pointless drought for Pontarelli, who returned to the lineup following a one-game absence.

Penn State dominated the faceoff battle, going 47-24. Draws continue to be an area of concern for Union as the Dutchmen rank 55th out of 59 Division I teams with a .451 faceoff winning percentage.

Colin Stevens picked up 29 saves for Union, which outshot Penn State, 34-32. Matthew Skoff accumulated 30 stops for Penn State.

Union will look to extend its winning streak to five games when they have a re-match with Penn State at 7 p.m. Sunday.

Carr out

Union was without the services of senior forward Daniel Carr, who entered play on Friday leading the team with 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists). He didn't make the trip to Penn State due to an undisclosed reason, but is expected back next weekend, when the Dutchmen host Princeton and Quinnipiac at Messa Rink.

Carr had dressed in all 132 previous games in his Union career.

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