Ciampini goal caps rally (w/ audio, video)

by Ryan Fay

Box Score
Audio: Union assistant coach Jason Tapp postgame (with @UCHockeyRadio)
Video: Ciampini's game-winning goal

Junior forward Daniel Ciampini scored a tie-breaking goal with three seconds left in the third period to lift #15 Union to a 5-4 non-conference win over Penn State Sunday at the Pegula Ice Arena.

Ciampini (Union)

"Daniel made a nice move on the defenseman and a great one on the goalie," Union head coach Rick Bennett said of the game-winning goal. "He had some puck luck and we'll take it."

Ciampini's goal, his seventh of the season, capped a series of four unanswered goals for Union, which trailed 4-1 after Penn State's David Glen registered a shorthanded goal off the skate of freshman defenseman Jeff Taylor at 11:43 of the second period.

Junior defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, who fired a career-high 12 shots on goal, quickly ignited the Dutchmen rally.

Just over a minute after Glen's shorthanded goal, Gostisbehere notched his fifth goal of the season when he sent a wrister past Penn State goaltender Eamon McAdam on the power play to cut Penn State's lead to 4-2.

Gostisbehere wasn't done. The 2012 Philadelphia Flyers third round draft pick struck again on the man advantage at 15:54. He beat McAdam on a low slap shot to slice the Nittany Lions' edge to 4-3.

The momentum carried into the third period as the Dutchmen outshot Penn State, 21-8, over the final 20 minutes. Matt Hatch picked up his fifth goal of the season via an unassisted tally at 6:06 to even the score.

After Glen widened Penn State's lead to 4-1, Bennett yanked junior goaltender Colin Stevens, who allowed four goals on eight shots. He was replaced by freshman Alex Sakellaropoulos, who saved all 11 shots in his first appearance since a 2-2 tie at Connecticut on October 25.

Junior forward Max Novak finished with two assists, including one on Ciampini's game-winner. Senior defenseman Mat Bodie moved within three points of 100 for his career with an assist on Gostisbehere's first goal.

Union fell behind early as Penn State collected a pair of power play goals in the first 8:06 of the opening period. Zach Saar started the scoring at 3:58. Luke Juha, who recorded an assist on Saar's goal, netted one of his own at 8:06 to make it 2-0.

Freshman forward Michael Vecchione's fourth goal of the season, a power play tally, trimmed Penn State's lead to 2-1 at 6:06 of the second period. He beat McAdam over the stick-side on a wrister from between the faceoff circles.

But Penn State (3-7-1) extended their lead to 3-1 when Eric Scheid scored on a wrister from the high slot at 10:18. Scheid finished with a game-high three points; he assisted on both of Penn State's first period goals.

A night after going 24-47 on faceoffs, Union rebounded, going 42-42. Vecchione led the way, going 12-9 on draws.

The Dutchmen (8-3-2) will look to extend their winning streak to six games when they resume ECAC play Friday against Princeton at Messa Rink. Gametime is 7 p.m.

End notes... the win completed a weekend sweep of Penn State as Union won, 4-3, on Saturday.... the start of game was delayed for 15 minutes due to a fire alarm issue... junior forward Mark Bennett missed his first game of the season.

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