by Ryan Fay
HAMDEN, Conn. – Union saw its season end with a 3-1 loss to 11th-ranked Quinnipiac in game three of the ECAC Hockey quarterfinals Sunday at High Point Solutions Arena.
Quinnipiac captured the best-of-three series, 2-1, and will advance to the league semifinals next Friday in Lake Placid.
The defeat ended Union's bid to become only the third team to win four straight ECACH tournament titles. Cornell did it from 1967-70, while Boston University accomplished the feat from 1974-77.
The loss also guaranteed that Union won't make the NCAA tournament for a fourth straight year, as the defending national champion Dutchmen are well outside the top 16 of the PairWise.
"We left it all on the ice," said Union head coach Rick Bennett. "Our coaching staff has been fortunate to work with this senior class. They are champions and they will always have that."
The loss also guaranteed that Union won't make the NCAA tournament for a fourth straight year, as the defending national champion Dutchmen are well outside the top 16 of the PairWise.
"We left it all on the ice," said Union head coach Rick Bennett. "Our coaching staff has been fortunate to work with this senior class. They are champions and they will always have that."
Soren Jonzzon paced Quinnipiac's (23-10-4) attack with two goals. He gave the Bobcats a 1-0 lead with under a minute left in the first after he beat Union goalie Colin Stevens from the top of the right circle. He struck again at 4:10 of the second when his shot from the slot got over Stevens' right shoulder and into the net.
The tallies served as revenge for Jonzzen, as Stevens robbed him with a terrific glove save late in the second period of Union's 3-2 win in game two on Saturday.
Union (19-18-2) cut Quinnipiac's lead to 2-1 at 7:19 of the second when Matt Wilkins knocked in a rebound following a right point shot by Charlie Vasaturo.
The Dutchmen continued to press, out-shooting the Bobcats 29-14 over the final two periods, including an 11-3 edge in the third.
But Quinnipiac goalie Michael Garteig stood tall en route to finishing with 37 saves.
The Dutchmen continued to press, out-shooting the Bobcats 29-14 over the final two periods, including an 11-3 edge in the third.
But Quinnipiac goalie Michael Garteig stood tall en route to finishing with 37 saves.
Matthew Peca sealed the win with an empty net goal with 37 seconds left.
Quinnipiac played most of the game without leading scorer Sam Anas, who was hurt late in the first period.
Mike Vecchione and Daniel Ciampini finished the season tied for the team lead in points with 50. That matched the program record for points in a season, originally set last year by Daniel Carr.
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