Dutchmen sweep monthly league awards

by Ryan Fay

It was a clean sweep for Union in December's ECAC Hockey monthly men's honors.

Senior forward Daniel Carr was named Player of the Month, freshman forward Eli Lichtenwald earned Rookie of the Month, and junior goaltender Colin Stevens picked up Goaltender of the Month.

Carr, Lichtenwald, Stevens

The trio helped Union go 5-0-1 in six December contests and move into sole possession of first place in the ECAC standings.

Carr ranked fourth in the country with eight points during December, finishing the month with two goals and six assists. He registered a season-high three points (all assists) in a 6-4 triumph over then fifth-ranked Quinnipiac on Dec. 7th. The win moved the Dutchmen into a first-place tie in the ECAC with the Bobcats.

Lichtenwald was the top scoring freshman in the country during December with seven points (4 g, 3 a). The 21-year-old collected a career-high three points (2 g, 1 a) in the win over Quinnipiac on Dec. 7. He enters 2014 with at least a point in five straight games.

Stevens went 3-0-1 in five December starts. He recorded a career-high 37 saves in a 3-2 win over Dartmouth on Dec. 11, a victory that gave Union sole possession of first place in the ECAC. The Niskayuna native followed that effort with a 35-save performance in a 3-3 tie at then top-ranked St. Cloud State on Dec. 14. He earned Goaltender of the Week honors on Dec. 10 and 17.

Fifth-ranked Union (12-3-3 overall, 8-1-0 ECAC) returns to action on Jan. 10 with a rematch at eighth-ranked Quinnipiac.

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Late addition Pontarelli making an early impact for Dutchmen (with videos)

by Ryan Fay

Michael Pontarelli wasn't supposed to be on this year's team.

The former Cornwall Colts star, who led the Central Canada Hockey League with 107 points last season, was originally scheduled to join the Dutchmen for the 2014-2015 season.

He was only added to this year's roster after Josh Jooris gave up his senior year of eligibility and signed with the Calgary Flames in late July.

At the time, Pontarelli said, "I'm looking forward to jumping in right away and seeing how I stack up against everyone. I'm anxious to see what kind of impact I can bring."

If early indications are anything, the 5-foot-7 forward stacks up just fine and will have a big impact over the next four years.

In Friday's season-opening 3-3 tie against Bowling Green, Pontarelli displayed a slick passing touch and picked up his first two collegiate assists.

On Saturday, Pontarelli scored his first two collegiate goals (both on the power play) to help lift the Dutchmen to their first win of the season, a 5-2 non-conference victory over Bowling Green.

Through two games, the 19-year-old is tied with Kevin Sullivan for the team lead in points with four.

"It's very exciting," Pontarelli said. "Every time you jump a level and get your first points, it's exciting. It's something brand new. But that's just bonus. Getting our first win of the season in that fashion is the most important thing."

Added Union head coach Rick Bennett, "Pontarelli feeds off offense. That's not a big secret if you see his stats coming from juniors. When he's on a roll, he's on a roll."

That roll doesn't look like it will end anytime soon.

INJURY UPDATES

Bennett said junior goaltender Colin Stevens remains "day-to-day" with the upper-body injury he sustained in Friday's game when Bowling Green's Bryce Williamson rammed into him at 6:12 of the first period.

Freshman Eli Lichtenwald, who scored his first collegiate goal on Friday, didn't play on Saturday. Bennett was mum on Lichtenwald's status, but the forward was spotted using crutches as he watched from the bleachers.

CARR RECORD WATCH

Senior forward Daniel Carr scored a power play goal on Saturday, the 58th goal of his Union career. He needs one more goal to tie Mario Valery-Trabucco for the program's Division I-era career goals record. Valery-Trabucco played for Union from 2006-2010.

FRESHMAN FIRSTS

Jeff Taylor recorded his first collegiate point on Saturday. The Clifton Park native and former Albany Academy defenseman assisted on Nick Cruice's second period goal.

Goaltender Alex Sakellaropoulos picked up his first collegiate win on Saturday in place of the injured Stevens. He stopped 20-of-22 shots in the winning effort.

GIVING THEM A GOOD SHOW

With Philadelphia Flyers brass in attendance on Saturday, junior defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere put on a good show. The 20-year-old, who the Flyers drafted in the third round of the 2012 NHL draft, picked up three assists.

UP NEXT

Union hosts Lake Superior State for a two-game non-conference series next Friday and Saturday. The Lakers swept Robert Morris over the weekend, winning both games 3-1.

POSTGAME VIDEOS FROM SATURDAY

Pontarelli, later joined by Daniel Ciampini and Gostisbehere

 

Union head coach Rick Bennett

 

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Carr nearing career goals record

by Ryan Fay

Union men's hockey senior Daniel Carr is inching closer to setting a new Division I-era program record in career goals.

Carr's goal in Friday's 3-3 tie against Bowling Green was the 57th of his Dutchmen career. The tally moved him past Wayne Simpson and into sole possession of second place on the program's Division I-era career goals list. Carr needs just three more goals to set a new Division I-era program record.

Mario Valery-Trabucco, who starred for the Dutchmen from 2006-2010, is the program's current Division I-era career goals leader with 59.

Union men's hockey Division I-era career goals leader board.

Rank	Player	Years at Union	Career Goals
1	Mario Valery-Trabucco	2006-2010	59
2	DANIEL CARR	2010-pres	57
3	Wayne Simpson	2009-2013	56
4	Jordan Webb	2001-2005	55
5	Jeremy Welsh	2009-2012	53

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Union players receive honors

by Ryan Fay

Three Union men's hockey players received distinctions on Thursday.

Sophomore defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, a 2012 Philadelphia Flyers third round pick, received second team All-ECAC honors. The native of Margate, Florida has 7 goals and 17 assists in 32 games and also earned a gold medal while playing for Team USA in the World Junior Championships at the turn of the year.

Forward Daniel Carr, who ranks third on the team with 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists), was named to the All-ECAC third team. The junior recently became the 10th Division I era Union player to reach the 100 career points milestone.

Defenseman Mat Bodie joined Carr on All-ECAC third team. With 24 points (6 g, 18 a), the junior is tied with Gostisbehere and senior Greg Coburn for the team lead in points by a defenseman. Bodie, who hails from East St. Paul, Manitoba, recently surpassed Lane Caffaro as the program's Division I era points leader among defensemen. He has 85 career points (20 g, 65 a) entering tomorrow's ECAC semifinal game against Yale.

CLOSE CALLS

Coburn (8 g, 16 a) was a finalist for the league's best defensive defenseman award, but lost to Quinnipiac senior Zach Davies.

The men's hockey program was a finalist for the Turfer Athletic award, but Dartmouth walked away with it. The award is presented annually to an individual, coach or team who best represents the core values of Turfer Athletics: tenacity, commitment and innovation.

Junior goaltender Troy Grosenick also came up short. He was a finalist for the ECAC's student-athlete award, but Clarkson's Matt Zarbo was the winner.

Dartmouth-Union game one postgame blog (with 4 videos)

Postgame videos are below or at the link.

by Ryan Fay

BOX SCORE

IN A NUTSHELL
Union defeated Dartmouth, 4-1, in game one of the best-of-three ECAC quarterfinals.

BIG WIN
Winning the first game of a best-of-three series is always important.

That wasn't lost on sophomore forward Daniel Ciampini, whose second period goal proved to be the eventual game-winner.

"It's huge," he said. "We've been itching to get going and dying to play. The guys have a lot of energy. Ask any of the guys in the locker room and they're up and ready to go. That was the case last week and all week this week in practice. It really showed tonight, especially in the first period. We came out guns firing."

In the opening 20 minutes, Union outshot Dartmouth, 15-7, and carried a 1-0 lead going into the second frame.

GROSENICK RETURNS
Following a one game absence with a lower-body injury, junior goaltender Troy Grosenick returned to action and piled up 31 saves in the winning effort.

Two of those saves were on breakways, one in the first period and one in the third.

"It was a weird bouncing puck that got through to [Dartmouth's Conor Dempsey]," Grosenick said of the first breakaway. "Breakaways are one on one battles and you have to have pride in that."

As for the second breakaway, Grosenick said Dartmouth's Tim O'Brien tried to beat him five-hole.

"That's a pretty smart play, actually," Grosenick said. "If you watch NHL breakaways, a lot of guys take quick shots and try to get it above the stick but below the pad and try to beat the goalie down."

"You talk about times of adversity and Troy came up big with two breakaway saves," Union head coach Rick Bennett said. "You're going to need that from your goaltender in the playoffs."

CONTROVERSY
Daniel Carr scored two goals on the night, his 13th and 14th of the season. The second of two, at 9:14 of the third period, was the subject of much controversy.

The goal was momentarily reviewed to see if Matt Wilkins was in the crease, but it was eventually allowed.

Dartmouth head coach Bob Gaudet didn't agree with the final verdict.

"There was a guy standing in the crease and it's clear," Gaudet opined after the game. "It's evident. It's a call I like to have reviewed. I had to call a timeout to get it reviewed. There was a guy in the blue paint when the puck went in."

Bennett wasn't as sure.

"Sometimes you wonder with the rules here," he said. "Was he in the crease or was he not? Was he pushed in? Was he not pushed in? Whatever happens, happens, and we're going to respond in a positive way."

HARD HIT
Carr was the recipient of a hard hit to the head in the third period courtesy of Dartmouth's Tyler Sikura, who was subsequently given a five minute major for contact to the head and a game misconduct.

After briefly staying down on the ice, Carr got up and returned to the game.

"I feel fine," Carr said after the game. "Hockey is a fast-paced game and stuff like that happens. I don't think it was anything personal. I just think it was part of the game."

"He's always battled through injuries," Bennett said of Carr. "He played with a broken bone in his wrist in his freshman year. That is one tough guy.  It's amazing how you get rewarded for stuff like playing through injuries."

Bennett admitted Carr was "banged up" but said his forward wasn't seriously injured and "is good to go" for Saturday's game two.

ADJUSTMENTS
Even though his club suffered a 4-1 loss, Gaudet isn't looking to make a lot of adjustments going into game two.

"We have to play the same way. We have to play hard," Gaudet said. "There's no secrets to this game. I've been a head coach for 25 years. The game is about winning battles, winning races, and getting pucks to the net. Every time we get a puck to the net, there are rebounds and we have to capitalize on those. It's a game of momentum."

PAIRWISE UPDATE
With all Friday games final, Union rose one spot to 15th in the Pairwise.

NOT SO SPECIAL TEAMS
Both teams posted 0-fers on the power play. Union went 0-4 while Dartmouth went 0-3.

IN THE BOX
Sophomore forward Sam Coatta had zero penalty minutes in 22 games this season entering game one. He must have been in unfamiliar territory when he made not one, but two, trips to the box on Friday. He was whistled for hooking at 10:28 of the third period and roughing at the 18:48 mark.

WHERE WAS EVERYONE?
The announced crowd of 1,641 was the lowest home attendance figure since a Tuesday night game against Harvard drew 1,624 on Jan. 22.

The previous five home games drew over 2,000 fans each, including 2,271 to see Dartmouth play on Feb. 1. That game was televised nationally on NBC Sports Network. Friday's game was not televised.

UP NEXT
The two teams meet again Saturday at 7 pm for game two. A win sends Union back to Atlantic City, New Jersey for the league semifinals next weekend. A loss forces a game three at Messa Rink Sunday at 7 pm.

THREE STARS
1. CARR, UNION - Scored two goals, one to open the scoring at 9:46 of the first period and the aforementioned controversial tally in the third.

“I just rolled around,” Carr said of his second goal. “Mat Bodie drove through and took everyone at the net. It was a good play by him, and a good play by Josh Jooris and Wilkins to get to the net. I just threw it at the net, and it went in.”

2. GROSENICK, UNION - Returned to action while looking 100%.

3. CIAMPINI, UNION - His second period tally was the eventual game-winner and his first since Jan. 26 vs RPI.

"I was just lucky to be in the right spot at the right time," Ciampini said of his goal. "I just got it high enough over his pad for it to go in."

POSTGAME VIDEOS

Union players Grosenick, Ciampini, and Carr



Union head coach Bennett



Dartmouth head coach Gaudet and forward Neiley



Union hits the ice for pre-game warmups

Union 4, Clarkson 0 - postgame blog (with 2 videos)

by Ryan Fay

BOX SCORE

IN A NUTSHELL
Union blanks Clarkson, 4-0, in the regular season finale in front of 2,371 fans at Messa Rink.

BYE, BYE, BYE
With the win, Dartmouth's 4-1 loss to Quinnipiac, and RPI's 4-1 victory over St. Lawrence, the Dutchmen clinched a first round bye and enter the league playoffs as the fourth seed behind Quinnipiac, RPI, and Yale. Union returns to Messa Rink to face a yet to be determined opponent during the weekend of Mar. 15-17.

"It's one of those where anyone would take it," head coach Rick Bennett said of picking up the bye. "It means we can get some players back healthy. Everybody has played so much this year, so it's refreshing to have it. We have to make the best use of it. I thought we did last year, but we have to continue to do what has worked for us this year. Last year is last year, so we have to worry about this year."

RISING TO THE OCCASION
With Troy Grosenick on the sidelines following an injury sustained in Friday's 5-1 win over St. Lawrence, sophomore Colin Stevens stepped in and stopped all 24 shots that came his way. It was Stevens' third shutout of the season and first since blanking Penn State, 2-0, on Nov. 24.

Grosenick was listed first on the line chart released earlier Saturday, which usually indicates a start, but Bennett said Stevens was the guy all along.

"I had a pretty good idea that I was going to be playing after what happened [to Grosenick] last night," Stevens said. "I went about it like any other game. Preparation is huge and I'm glad we got the two points."

Grosenick's status for the playoffs is to be determined.

LIGHTING THE LAMP
With five goals Friday and four more Saturday, Union scored nine goals over the weekend. It marked the best offensive output for a single weekend since scoring 11 goals in a sweep of RPI Nov. 2-3.

"Overall balance on the lines," Bennett said when asked about the increased offensive production. "It was really nice to get three lines going and the fourth line put up some productive shifts. [Fourth liner] David Roy is going to be a heckuva player for us. Once he gains a step here and there, it's really going to help us for the future. [Fourth liners] Sam [Coatta] and Cole [Ikkala] did a tremendous job."

100 POINT CLUB
With an assist on Josh Jooris' third period goal, junior Daniel Carr became the 10th player in the program's Division I era to reach the 100 career points milestone. Senior Wayne Simpson joined the exclusive club earlier this season.

SENIOR NIGHT
Postgame ceremonies were held for the five seniors on the roster. Greg Coburn, Wayne Simpson, Kyle Bodie, Ryan Forgaard, and Shawn Stuart will be graduating this spring. With two more wins, the group will go down as the winningest class in program history.

"Since I've been here, it seems like senior night has been a great night all around," Bennett said. "It's nice that our guys played so tremendously hard for our seniors. That's what we ask as a coaching staff -- to play as hard as you can for them. Not that you're playing any different, but there's always something extra you like to give seniors... a nice going away present, per se."

WEEK TO WEEK
Sophomore defenseman Charlie Vasaturo was injured in the first period of Friday's win and is considered to be "week to week." The blueliner has two goals and two assists in 20 games this season.

PLAYOFF TICKETS
Information on playoff tickets can be found here.

THREE STARS
1. Stevens - The Niskayuna native came through in a pinch and helped Union clinch a first round bye in the ECAC playoffs.

"He had a great game tonight and I'm really happy for him," Bennett said.

2. Kevin Sullivan - The junior scored two goals for his first multigoal game of the season. Sullivan played his best hockey as the regular season drew to a close with three goals and three assists over the final nine contests.

"The first [goal] was basically all Hatch using his speed coming in," Sullivan said. "Just threw it in front and luckily it went on my stick. I took a couple whacks and it went in."

As for the second goal, "Carr and Jooris were working it pretty well up top," Sullivan added. "I just got a lucky bounce on my stick."

When asked for a reason behind the late season scoring surge, the forward said "bigger games, I guess."

3. Carr - The forward had two assists, both in the third period. The second helper was the 100th point of his Union career.

POSTGAME

Union Hockey Notebook (2/28/13)

by Ryan Fay

The Dutchmen wrap up the regular season this weekend. St. Lawrence comes in on Friday while Clarkson closes out the regular season on Saturday.

Some news and notes from around Union hockey entering the weekend -

CARR NEARING MILESTONE

With two points this weekend, junior Daniel Carr will become only the tenth player in the program's Division I era to get to 100 career points.

Carr (Union)

"He's had a very nice career here," said head coach Rick Bennett. "If you ask Dan, he'd probably tell you he wants to score more. He has been consistent and he's a very smart hockey player. After his senior season, I'm sure he'll get some looks."

When asked about nearing the milestone, Carr said "it's one of those personal things. I don't think it means too much."

Instead, he was quick to deflect attention to the team.

"The more important thing going into the weekend is for our team to get four points and try to improve our situation going into the playoffs," Carr said.

The Dutchmen currently sit in sixth place and need two points to clinch home ice for the first round. They'll need some help to get a first round bye being one point behind Yale and Dartmouth, who are tied for fourth place.

Some players need a prolonged adjustment period to the college game, but that wasn't the case with Carr. As an 18-year-old freshman, he paced Union in goals with 20 and finished third on the team with 35 points.

The junior attributed his quick transition to the leadership the team had earlier in his career, namely Jeremy Welsh, Brock Matheson, Adam Presiznuik, Kelly Zajac and Nolan Julseth-White.

"Those guys really helped a lot of us out with what it takes to play college hockey and the little things," Carr said.

Bennett, an assistant when Carr was being recruited, still recalls trying to reel the Alberta native in.

"It wasn't the easiest process in the world," Bennett said. "He had a few other things going on with some ivies and some other programs. But at the end of the day, we gave him the best possible chance to come in when he wanted to come in."

Assuming he reaches the milestone, the junior will be the second player to reach the plateau this year. Senior Wayne Simpson did so on Jan. 12 at Quinnipiac.

With a healthy senior season, Carr has a good chance to eclipse Presizniuk's record of 131 career points.

NO CHANGES

St. Lawrence will be without star forward Kyle Flanagan for the next seven to ten days following an emergency appendectomy on Tuesday.

The senior leads the league in assists with 27 and ranks second in points with 41. But don't expect his absence to have much impact on Union's gameplan going into tomorrow.

"Not one bit," Bennett said. "We are prepared like he's in the lineup."

SIMPSON MOTIVATED

When Bennett filled out his lineup for last Saturday's game at Cornell, there was one shocking omission.

Simpson, who is tied with Kyle Bodie for the team lead in points with 29, was a healthy scratch. It marked the first time he wasn't in the lineup in his Union career, snapping a streak of 151 consecutive games played.

After Saturday's 4-2 loss, Bennett remarked that Simpson hadn't scored a five-on-five goal since the Penn State series in late November.

Simpson (Union)

"It was pretty tough," Simpson said of sitting. "You want to be out there and it was an important game. Unfortunately, we didn't get the win, but we have to put it all behind us."

When Simpson registers a point, the Dutchmen are 14-2-3. The team has a 1-10-2 record in contests where Simpson fails to crack the scoresheet.

"I know that I need to be at my best for us to start manufacturing chances," he said. "I have to bring the effort -- sixty minutes, every night."

It's easy to think that getting benched would motivate a player, but Simpson wasn't lacking in that department even prior to sitting.

"There's already a ton of motivation," he said. "My career here at Union is winding down and there are only a couple more games. We're all in it together and we're real committed to these last couple weekends."

Bennett said the senior has responded very well in practice this week, but wasn't ready to promise a spot in tomorrow's lineup.

"Most likely, but it's not guaranteed."

ADJUSTMENTS

Union's trip to the North Country earlier this month wasn't a good one.

The Dutchmen lost, 2-1, at Clarkson on Feb. 8 and gave up three first period goals en route to a 4-2 loss at St. Lawrence the next night.

Simpson knows what the team needs to do for better luck in the latest shot at the two schools.

"There were things we didn't do," he said. "We weren't very physical and they created chances off the transition because they were getting deep. We gave them lanes to the net and they were getting rebounds. We weren't doing the same, so we have to do that. We have to stay out of the box and win the special teams battle."

Union allowed a combined four power play goals in the two losses at Clarkson and St. Lawrence. It set a team high for a single weekend this year.

NEW TEAMMATE

The Dutchmen have a new teammate.

Her name is Kristen Shinebarger, daughter of Shelly Shinebarger, the Director of Student Support Services at Union College. Kristen joins the Dutchmen via Team IMPACT, a not for profit organization which aims to enhance the quality of life for children dealing with serious illnesses.

In November 2010, Kristen was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a type of bone cancer most common in children and young adults. Kristen had her right leg amputated, but is now adjusting to the use of a prosthetic leg.

Earlier this week, a ceremony was held in the Dutchmen locker room to officially draft Kristen onto the team. Junior forward Cole Ikkala acted as an ambassador for Team IMPACT and assisted in organizing the proceedings. The 10-year-old was given her own locker stall, which she'll share with her brother, Eric.

The women's hockey team recently dedicated their annual Pink at the Rink day to Shinebarger and over $2,000 was collected via admissions, raffles, and gifts. Funds went to the Shinebarger family to help fight Ewings Sarcoma.

For more on Kristen's Kause, go here.

REMEMBER ME?

Earlier this week, I interviewed I chatted with St. Lawrence assistant coach Kris Mayotte, a goaltender at Union from 2002-2006.

Mayotte discusses his budding coaching career, his time at Union, St. Lawrence star Greg Carey, Friday's tilt, and more.

You can listen here.

Dutchmen skate by #9/10 Yale, 4-2 (with 3 videos)

Postgame videos below - Union head coach Rick Bennett, Union players Max Novak, Matt Hatch, and Mat Bodie, plus Yale head coach Keith Allain.

==========

by Ryan Fay

SCHENECTADY -- Union snapped a three game winless streak after skating past #9/10 Yale, 4-2, Friday night at Messa Rink.

Yale (13-8-3, 9-7-1) struck first when Tommy Fallen scored an unassisted power play goal at 17:36 of the opening frame. Fallen picked off a clearing attempt by Matt Hatch and beat Troy Grosenick.

“I was calling for the puck there because Coburn had a lot of pressure,” Hatch said. “He gave me a soft chip. I just flubbed it. I had one guy pressuring me, but I didn’t see the other guy. I gave it right to [Fallen]. I couldn’t get out to block it. Just a little misfire in the corner there.”

The Dutchmen (14-10-5, 7-6-4) came to life after and never trailed again.

With Shayne Gostisbehere in the box for indirect contact to the head-elbowing, sophomore Max Novak evened the game with an unassisted shorthanded goal at 8:25 of the second period. Novak's backhander bounced off the right pad of Yale goaltender Nick Maricic and scooted through the five hole.

"I thought Novak's goal was one of the biggest of the year," Union head coach Rick Bennett said. "It got us going, but it's what we've been preaching. Drive wide, put pucks on the net, and good things are going to happen."

Added Novak, "I had a little bit of room on the penalty kill. I skated up and heard guys yelling drive wide, so I took it hard to the net. Luckily, it went in."

With assists from Kevin Sullivan and Josh Jooris, Hatch's improbable angle shot made it a 2-1 Union lead at 16:00 of the middle period. The junior fired from below the goal line and his shot bounced off Maricic and into the net.

“Our line had a good forecheck going,” Hatch said. “Sullivan passed the puck to Jooris. I was putting it on net, just trying to hit [Maricic’s] stick and get some guys crashing the net. He put it in himself. It was a pretty lucky goal. I was pretty shocked, but it was a good-time goal and our line deserved the goal.”

After allowing two soft goals, Yale head coach Keith Allain yanked Maricic and inserted Connor Wilson.

Changing goaltenders didn't help the Bulldogs. Wayne Simpson's power play goal, his team-best 13th goal of the season, pushed Union's lead to 3-1 just 31 seconds into the third period. Kyle Bodie fired a shot that Wilson stopped, but Simpson cashed in on the rebound.

"We just happened to be at the right place at the right time, which was nice for once," Bennett said.

Junior defenseman Mat Bodie picked up an assist on Simpson's goal. The point was the 80th of his Union career, breaking Lane Caffaro's record for points by a defenseman in the program's Division I era.

"I haven't thought too much about it," Bodie said of the record. "It's an achievement, but maybe something I'll appreciate more in the future. It's a testament to the guys I've played with. I've had some real good goal scorers that I give the puck to and they can do a lot with it."

Jooris picked up his second assist of the night on Daniel Carr's goal at 9:00 of the third. Carr's one-timer beat Wilson and increased Union's lead to 4-1.

After Simpson went off for interference at 9:40, Yale cut the lead to 4-2 when Andrew Miller scored on the man advantage at 11:09. The Bulldogs, who were outshot 42-39, never made it closer.

Grosenick, who was pulled in both losses last weekend, rebounded with a 37 save effort.

"I thought he played like he practiced and he practiced extremely well," Bennett said. "He came prepared all week and worked really hard. He was rewarded for that."

The Dutchmen played with fire by taking eight penalties, including four in the first period alone. The penalty kill stopped Yale on six of the eight chances, but Bennett wasn't displeased with the repeated trips to the box.

"I don't have a problem with hitting too hard," Bennett said. "I don't know what those calls were, but we're going to keep using our shoulder pads. I'm not complaining about the officiating, but we're not stopping."

The coach was just as pleased to see the team follow through on pregame benchmarks.

"They were given a couple staples to follow through for each period. Outside of the first period with shots, they met them all tonight," Bennett said. "It was great to see guys blocking shots and sacrificing themselves. That's what you need -- that ice bag mentality."

With the win, the Dutchmen moved into a tie for fourth place with St. Lawrence. The Saints handed Quinnipiac its first league loss of the season Friday night, 2-1. With Union's victory over Yale, the Bobcats managed to clinch the Cleary Cup despite the loss.

The Dutchmen return to Messa Rink tonight to host Brown (9-10-5, 5-7-5) at 7 pm. The Bears were routed by RPI, 5-1, Friday evening in Troy.

ETC... Defenseman Shawn Stuart, who suffered a lower-body injury in last Friday's loss at Clarkson, is considered "doubtful" for tonight's game, according to Bennett.... The Dutchwomen fell, 2-1, at Brown on Friday. Their playoff chances are out the door.

POSTGAME VIDEOS








Hockey Game Box Score (Final)
#9 Yale Bulldogs vs Union Dutchmen (Feb 15, 2013 at Schenectady, N.Y.)

Yale Bulldogs (13-8-3, 9-7-1 ECAC) vs. Union Dutchmen (14-10-5, 7-6-4 ECAC) Date: Feb 15, 2013 Location: Schenectady, N.Y. Arena: Messa Rink Attendance:2085 Start time:7:07 pm End time:9:29 pm Total time:2:22  Goals by Period 1st 2nd 3rd Total Yale Bulldogs 1 0 1 2 Union Dutchmen 0 2 2 4 Scoring Summary # Prd Time Team Type Scored by Assists Visitor on ice Home on ice 1. 1st 17:36 YALE PP Fallen, Tommy/9 - 22,18,11,7,20 20,15,14,12 2. 2nd 08:25 UNION SH Novak, Max/5 - 18,6,7,22,20 18,3,9,20 3. 2nd 16:00 UNION EVEN Hatch, Matt/7 Sullivan, Kevin/3 28,18,21,14,17 15,6,22,19,7 Jooris, Josh/12 4. 3rd 00:31 UNION PP Simpson, Wayne/13 Bodie, Kyle/21 17,22,21 21,12,22,14,9 Bodie, Mat/15 5. 3rd 09:00 UNION EVEN Carr, Daniel/11 Jooris, Josh/13 21,20,11,26,22 9,7,6,22,19 Vasaturo, Charlie/2 6. 3rd 11:09 YALE PP Miller, Andrew/11 Agostino, Kenny/16 17,18,22,7,6 18,22,6,9 Wilson, Stu/4

Dutchmen Meet the Media

by Ryan Fay

The 18th-ranked Union Dutchmen host the 16th-ranked Dartmouth Big Green tomorrow at 7:30 pm on the NBC Sports Network.

Before Thursday's practice, defenseman Mat Bodie, head coach Rick Bennett, goaltender Troy Grosenick, and forward Daniel Carr met with the local media. To see what they had to say about the game (and more), watch the videos below.

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Jooris returns tonight vs RPI

After missing one game with an upper-body injury, junior forward Josh Jooris returns to the lineup for tonight's Mayor's Cup game against RPI. Jooris will be centering a line with Matt Hatch on the left and Kevin Sullivan on the right.

Daniel Carr moves from the Kyle Bodie and Wayne Simpson line to the Matt Wilkins and Max Novak line. Daniel Ciampni will be with Bodie and Simpson instead of Wilkins and Novak.

Troy Grosenick starts in goal and defenseman Shawn Stuart remains sidelined with an upper-body injury. It will be Stuart's fourth consecutive game missed.

RPI has also released their lines, but without a designated starting goaltender.