by Ryan Fay
For the second consecutive night, ninth-ranked St. Cloud State outplayed second-ranked Union.
On Friday, the Dutchmen came away with a 5-1 win despite being out-skated most of the night.
They didn't overcome another off night on Saturday.
Brooks Bertsch snapped a 2-2 tie at 8:18 of the third period to lift St. Cloud State to a 3-2 non-conference win at Messa Rink over a sluggish Dutchmen team that never seemed to find its groove.
In the process, Union (5-1) saw its unbeaten streak end at 22 games, its home winning streak end at 15 games, and its winning streak against ranked teams end at nine games.
“[St. Cloud State ] really wanted it tonight," said Union head coach Rick Bennett. "They were faster. They won the one-on-one battles. I give them all the credit in the world. They were firing on all cylinders, and we didn’t match that.”
After JC Brassard gave the puck away behind the Union net, Judd Peterson passed it in front to an open Bertsch, who unleashed the decisive shot that beat Alex Sakellaropoulos.
Even though Brassard turned the puck over, Bennett placed more blame on Brassard's defensive partner, Sebastien Gingras, for leaving Bertsch uncovered.
“It’s easy to blame JC Brassard for that,” Bennett said. “It was our other defenseman [Gingras] snoring, not plugged in and losing his man at the net front. That’s where we were tonight, just not plugged in.”
The goal spoiled an otherwise strong showing for Sakellaropoulos, who registered a career-high 36 saves in place of Niskayuna native Colin Stevens.
"I thought Alex was exceptional tonight," Bennett said. "He kept us in the game. It would have been a heck of a lot worse. He was the star of the show for us tonight."
In the process, Union (5-1) saw its unbeaten streak end at 22 games, its home winning streak end at 15 games, and its winning streak against ranked teams end at nine games.
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| Union's Tyler Hynes (23) gets tied up with a St. Cloud State player during Saturday's 3-2 loss at Messa Rink photo: St. Cloud State |
After JC Brassard gave the puck away behind the Union net, Judd Peterson passed it in front to an open Bertsch, who unleashed the decisive shot that beat Alex Sakellaropoulos.
Even though Brassard turned the puck over, Bennett placed more blame on Brassard's defensive partner, Sebastien Gingras, for leaving Bertsch uncovered.
“It’s easy to blame JC Brassard for that,” Bennett said. “It was our other defenseman [Gingras] snoring, not plugged in and losing his man at the net front. That’s where we were tonight, just not plugged in.”
The goal spoiled an otherwise strong showing for Sakellaropoulos, who registered a career-high 36 saves in place of Niskayuna native Colin Stevens.
"I thought Alex was exceptional tonight," Bennett said. "He kept us in the game. It would have been a heck of a lot worse. He was the star of the show for us tonight."
With Sakellaropoulos sharp, Union remained in the game despite getting outshot 32-13 through two periods. Mike Vecchione converted a penalty shot and tied the game 2-2 at 19:46 of the second.
The Dutchmen were given a golden chance to go ahead when St. Cloud State gave them a power-play at 1:22 of the third. But Union didn't muster a single shot on goal during the ensuing two minutes.
The Dutchmen were given a golden chance to go ahead when St. Cloud State gave them a power-play at 1:22 of the third. But Union didn't muster a single shot on goal during the ensuing two minutes.
“Getting outshot is never a good thing,” said Sakellaropoulos. "We looked a little sloppy out there. We came hard too late, and that kind of hurt us a bit. I guess we learned that we have to go a full 60 minutes here to win.”
Vasaturo agreed that it wasn't Union's best effort and added it's nothing new.
“It wasn’t good,” Vasaturo said of the effort. “I don’t think it’s been just tonight. It was yesterday, and up in Maine [last weekend], as well. It seems like it’s a theme going for us, and we’ve got to figure it out.”
There's no better time to figure it out than now. Union opens ECAC Hockey play next weekend with a home-and-home series with Route 7 rival RPI. Union travels to RPI on Friday before hosting the Engineers on Saturday.
“We have to start fresh Monday because we’ve been walking on a fine line for the past few games,” Vasaturo said. “We fell off tonight.”
POSTGAME VIDEO
Union head coach Rick Bennett
Union goalie Alex Sakellaropoulos
Union defenseman Charlie Vasaturo
St. Cloud State head coach Bob Motzko
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