by Ryan Fay
Behind a career performance from Niskayuna native Colin Stevens, sixth-ranked Union downed 17th-ranked New Hampshire 3-1 Saturday at the Whittemore Center.
The win gave the Dutchmen a weekend sweep of the Wildcats. Union (15-4-3) won the series opener by the same score on Friday.
Stevens collected a career-high 40 saves, breaking his old career high of 38 saves registered in Friday's win. He improved to 12-1-1 with a 1.98 goals against average and a .927 save percentage.
Stevens' biggest save came at 16:30 of the third period with Union holding onto a 2-1 lead. He denied a point blank bid from New Hampshire's Matt Willows, who was trying to bury a rebound off Kevin Goumas' shot from deep on the right wing.
"Colin Stevens was excellent in both games this weekend. He might have been the difference," said Union head coach Rick Bennett.
Stevens had a scary moment in the second when New Hampshire's Kyle Smith collided with him in the crease, but Stevens remained in the game after staying down on the ice for a few moments.
New Hampshire wasn't as lucky, as the Wildcats lost two players to injury. Hobey Baker hopeful Trevor van Riemsdyk left after taking a hit from Matt Wilkins along the left-side boards during the first. Second-line center Grayson Downing departed after sustaining an upper-body injury in the second. Neither returned.
"Not a lot of teams find a way to win in this building, and to win not one but two is a real accomplishment," he said. "The coaching staff is really proud of the team's effort."
New Hampshire wasn't as lucky, as the Wildcats lost two players to injury. Hobey Baker hopeful Trevor van Riemsdyk left after taking a hit from Matt Wilkins along the left-side boards during the first. Second-line center Grayson Downing departed after sustaining an upper-body injury in the second. Neither returned.
Mark Bennett gave the Dutchmen a 1-0 lead at 15:05 of the first. Bennett took a pass from Cole Ikkala, skated to the left of the net, and snuck a backhander into the back of the New Hampshire cage.
New Hampshire (13-12-1) tied the game at 17:26 when Tyler Kelleher fired a wrister over Stevens' shoulder.
The game remained tied until Max Novak beat Wildcats goaltender Casey DeSmith through the legs after receiving a centering pass from Daniel Ciampini at 16:26 of the second.
Mat Bodie sealed the win with an empty-net goal with just over a minute left in the third.
Union ended its stretch of six consecutive road games with a 4-1-1 record, and Bennett was pleased with two wins at the usually tough Whittemore Center.
The Dutchmen return to Messa Rink for the first time since December 11 when they host league-mate Harvard at 7 p.m. Friday.
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