Rochester, N.Y. (Dec. 2, 2005) Union played catch up for most of the game but held the lead when it mattered in a 3-2 win over RIT at Ritter Arena in the first meeting between the two teams since February 26, 1991. Freshman Brendan Milnamow (Wilton, CT) scored the game-winning goal at 15:18 of the third period to snap a three-game scoreless drought.    

Rochester found itself with a breakaway opportunity just 44 seconds into the game. Ricky Walton picked up the loose puck just inside the Union zone after defenseman Sean Streich (Kimberley, BC) caught an edge as he tried to play it up ice. Walton broke in on goal but was stood up by goaltender Kris Mayotte (Pittsburgh, PA).  

The Tigers were presented with a scoring chance in front at 5:24 off a defensive miscue that gave Darrell Draper a back-hand shot but Mayotte was in position for the save. Draper had another chance under a minute later and this time would take full advantage. At 6:02 he received a pass from behind the goal by Jesse Newman on the short side and snuck the puck under the pad of Mayotte. It was Draper's fifth goal of the season.

 Union had its share of chances in the opening session. Senior Jonathan Poirier (St. Jerome, QUE) fired a shot on the power play at 12:48 from the right face-off circle that grazed the top of the crossbar. Less than two minutes later freshman Augie DiMarzo (West Haven, CT) was denied in front by Rochester goaltender Jocelyn Guimond.

Persistence by the Dutchmen paid off at 16:16, making it a 1-1 game. Junior Olivier Bouchard (Quebec City, QUE) picked up his eighth goal of the season when his centering pass from behind the goal deflected off a Rochester defender and past Guimond. Bouchard received the puck from Poirier.

Rochester scored again in the second period to reclaim its lead at 7:58 on a two-man advantage. Newman fired in a shot from the top of the zone on the right side. Mayotte kicked the puck away to the weak side where Simon Lambert was lying in wait to pounce on the shot and stuff home the rebound for the Tigers.

Union had a chance in the closing seconds of the period. Sophomore Torren Delforte (Shortsville, NY) used his speed to create a breakaway opportunity in front but Guimond fought off the attempt as time expired.

It was only a matter of time before Union came back to tie the game once again 2:47 into the third period on the power play. Freshman T.J. Fox (Oswego, NY) scored his sixth goal of the season with a shot from the top of the right face-off circle that got past Guimond on the near side. Dutchman Jason Visser (Mississauga, ONT) aided the cause by screening the Tigers netminder in front.

Milnamow came through with the game-winner at 15:18 with his second goal of the season. After a flurry of Union shots were denied the Rochester defense was able to get a stick on the puck and sent it away. Milnamow got it along the left side boards and sent a shot back in that beat Guimond.

Mayotte finished with 23 saves for his eighth win of the season. Guimond made 29 saves in the lost. Union outshot RIT 32-25 for the game and both teams were 1-of-7 on the power play.

The home and home series between the two teams moves over to Messa Rink tomorrow night for a 7:30 p.m. face-off. The Dutchmen are unbeaten at home this season with a 5-0-2 mark.