Dutchmen play complete game in 6-1 win (w/ highlights, reaction)

Box Score

by Ryan Fay

One of the themes in Union's recent downturn was a lack of sixty minute efforts.

There were games when the Dutchmen had impressive stretches, but then the team would vanish for parts of the same game.

On Saturday, the Dutchmen put forth a strong sixty minute effort and breezed to a 6-1 win over Princeton (1-4-1 overall, 1-3-1 ECAC Hockey) at Messa Rink.

The win snapped a six-game winless streak (0-5-1) and gave the Dutchmen (6-5-1, 1-4-1) their first ECACH win of the season.

It was an all-around effort. They held Princeton to 16 shots on the goal, the fewest allowed to any opponent so far this season. They killed five-of-six Princeton power plays, a night after giving up three power play goals on four chances in a 4-3 loss to Quinnipiac. They scored three times on five power play opportunities.

"We’ve put together periods here and there, but we were able to play a full 60," said Union's Daniel Ciampini, who recorded his second career hat trick and finished with a career-best five points. "It's great to get a bunch of points, but I think the win is a lot bigger than my personal success."

Union head coach Rick Bennett liked what he saw from his team.

"They were definitely consistent in all areas," he said. "They managed the lines tonight, which was nice to see. They finished their hits. It was a complete game all around."

Ciampini, who was on the ice for all six Union goals, put the Dutchmen on the board after taking a feed from Jeff Taylor and beating Tigers goalie Ben Halford at 6:11 of the first.

Aaron Ave's power play goal brought the Tigers even just over four minutes later, but Jeff Taylor regained the lead for the Dutchmen at 18:24. He fired a shot from just inside the blueline that seemed to catch Halford off guard.

"It was a lucky shot," said Taylor, who finished with the goal and three assists. "I was just trying to get it through. There was a guy right on me, and it was lucky it went in."

Union buried the Tigers with a three-goal second period. Ryan Scarfo made it 3-1 at 4:59 before Ciampini and Mike Vecchione addded power-play tallies later in the period.

"This morning, we talked about how important special teams are," Ciampini said. "We got two good opportunities there, and we took advantage of it."

Ciampini cemented the hat trick with a power-play marker at 10:12 of the third. His other hat trick came against Boston College in last season's NCAA Frozen Four semifinal.

After sitting in favor of Alex Sakellaropoulos the past two games, Niskayuna native Colin Stevens received the start in goal for the Dutchmen. He was rarely tested and finished with 15 saves.

"It felt great,” Stevens said. “Obviously, Alex earned the net there. He played really well for a few games. But it was nice to get back in the net tonight and get a win."

The game marked the end of the first chunk of Union's schedule. The Dutchmen are off next week for exams before hitting the road for nine straight games, beginning with a trip to Notre Dame for the Shillelagh Tournament Nov. 28-29.

"It's nice to end on a positive note instead of another loss," Taylor said. "I think this was huge for us."

SEE ALL SIX UNION GOALS



POSTGAME AUDIO

Union head coach Rick Bennett

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Union's Daniel Ciampini and Colin Stevens

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Union's Jeff Taylor

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