Dutchmen to take on CNY teams

by Ryan Fay

Union returns to action this weekend with a pair of ECAC Hockey contests. The Dutchmen host Colgate on Friday at 7 and eighth-ranked Cornell at the same time on Saturday.

Here are five key things to know going into the weekend:

Welcome home

After a season-long four game road trip, Union will be back on home ice the first time in the 2016 calendar year. The Dutchmen will be looking to keep their recent string of success at home going as they are 2-0-1 in their last three games at Messa Rink.

Conference struggles

Union is 7-1-3 in non-conference games this season, good for a .773 winning percentage that ranks ninth in the country in non-conference action. But the Dutchmen haven't found the same kind of success in conference play with a 2-6-2 mark (.300). That has left Union tied with Dartmouth and Brown for eighth place in the league. Four points this weekend could go a long way in separating the Dutchmen from the pack while increasing their odds at hosting playoff games in March.

Disappointing Colgate

Colgate enters play as one of the biggest disappoints in the league. Picked to finish fifth by both the coaches and the media, Colgate sits in 11th place with a 2-6-1 mark. Overall, the Raiders are 6-14-1.

Allowing too many goals has been a big culprit. The Raiders have given up 3.76 goals per game, the second-highest mark in the country. They've given up five or more goals in nine of their 21 contests. Junior goaltender Charlie Finn is in the midst of a career-worst season with a 3.63 goals-against average and an .887 save percentage, figures far worse than his career averages.

A lack of depth has been another issue. Colgate has spent most of the season with just 20 skaters. The Raiders took hits when forward Kyle Baun, their second-leading scorer last season, and defenseman Ryan Johnston gave up their senior years and turned pro last summer. Another blow came in September when recruit Adam Dauda deferred his commitment for medical reasons.

Dauda ended up joining Colgate at midseason after scoring 11 goals and 26 assists in 25 games with the CCHL's Pembroke LumberKings. The forward has two assists in four games with Raiders.

Surprising Cornell

While Colgate hasn't met their preseason expectations, Cornell has exceeded theirs. The media picked them to finish 11th, while the coaches tabbed them seventh. Both predictions are looking far too light. With a 6-1-1 mark, Cornell trails only Quinnipiac in the league standings. Overall, the Big Red are 11-2-2.

One of the biggest questions about Cornell was its offense, or lack of one. The Big Red were sixth-to-last in the country last season with 1.84 goals per game. This year, they're 20th at 2.93.

Junior forward Jeff Kubiak has had a breakout year, leading the team with 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) after having 17 combined points in his first two years. Freshman forward Anthony Angello has become an instant contributor, topping the club in goals with eight while chipping in four assists. Another freshman forward, Mitch Vanderlaan, is third on the team in goals with four and points with 11.

As usual, Cornell has done a great job at keeping pucks out of their own net. The Big Red are giving up just two goals per game, third-best in the nation. They're on track to finish in the top 10 in the country in fewest goals allowed per game for the third straight year. Junior goalie Mitch Gillam is in the top 10 nationally in GAA (1.77, 8th) and save percentage (.935, 9th)

Do It For Daron

The Union women's and men's hockey teams will be participating in mental health awareness games on Saturday. The women's team hosts RPI at 3 ahead of the men taking on Cornell at 7.

Union will wear purple laces and use purple tape in support of Do it for Daron, a foundation that increases awareness and inspires conversations about youth mental health issues. Fans are encouraged to join Union in supporting this initiative by wearing purple to Saturday's games.

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