Schenectady, NY (Mar. 4, 2005) Union played its second straight overtime game but the result did not go in their favor this time around as they fell to Clarkson 1-0 in the first round of the ECACHL playoffs Friday night at Messa Rink. David Cayer broke the tie 15:43 into the extra session with a tough angle shot from the top of the left face off circle that beat Justin Mrazek (Regina, SASK) to the far post. The Dutchmen outshot the Golden Knights 32-22 but were shutout for the eighth time this season as they fall to 12-21-2 on the season and drop their 14^th straight playoff game.

Union held a 21-7 advantage in shots through the first two periods as they were unable to solve Clarkson goaltender Dustin Traylen. The Dutchmen came up empty on their best chance of the first period at 17:51. Sophomore Olivier Bouchard (Quebec City, QUE) had his weak side shot stopped after taking a pass across the slot from Scott Seney (Silver Spring, MD).

In the second period Michael Beynon (Nepean, ONT) had a blast from the point at 11:00 but Traylen was able to absorb the puck.

Clarkson tested Mrazek in the third period beginning with a pair of shots at 4:49. Shawn Weller sent in a shot from the point that Mrazek was unable to cover, giving Steve Zalewski a chance in front. Union's netminder came up with the second save though to keep the game scoreless. Weller had another shot less than three minutes later following a Union turnover in the neutral zone, but the puck was kick wide by Mrazek.

Union saw its chances come and go in the third period as well. Jonathan Poirier (St. Jerome, QUE) fired a shot from the right face off circle that was smothered at 10:20 and then saw his shot five minutes later kicked aside. Joel Beal (Brantford, ONT) had a chance in front at 15:56 after taking a pass from Jordan Webb (Nepean, ONT), who redirected the puck between his legs with some impressive stick work. It was all for not though as Beal sent the puck wide.

Play went back and forth in the overtime session. Union held a slight 6-5 advantage in shots but it was Clarkson's final shot from Cayer that made the difference. With 4:17 remaining in the 20 minute overtime the freshman took a pass from Matt Curley at the point and scored his sixth goal of the season to give his team a 1-0 lead in this best of three series.

Union will look to avoid elimination in game two tomorrow at 7:00 p.m.