SCHENECTADY, NY – The Union College men's hockey team netted a pair of goals in the second period en route to a 2-0 defeat of Ferris State University Friday evening in the season opener for both teams at Messa Rink. Union received goals from Mario Valery-Trabucco (Montreal, QC) and Torren Delforte (Shortsville, NY) in the win, which runs the Dutchmen's record against the Bulldogs to 3-0.

 

Union (1-0) came out firing, holding a 12-2 shot advantage in the first frame, but did not light the lamp until 7:19 of the second period. Mike Schreiber (Sherwood Park, AB) started the fast transition play with a bounce pass off the right boards from deep in the Union zone. Freshman Adam Presizniuk (Calgary, AB) collected the puck at the blue line and carried it low in the right circle before sliding it across the slot to Valery-Trabucco, who was crashing the net. The assist marks the first collegiate point for Presizniuk.

 

Delforte gave the Dutchmen a two-goal lead just over three minutes later with his 13^th career goal. Junior Mike Harr (Norwood, MA) cleared the puck up the left boards to junior captain Matt Cook (Belle Mead, NJ). Cook saw sophomore Jason Walters (Renfrew, ON) streaking ahead and passed up to him as Walters crossed the blue line. Walters then slid the puck across to Delforte who was trailing, setting up the senior for a quick shot just inside the near post.

 

Senior netminder Justin Mrazek (Regina, SK) stopped 18 shots in his fifth career shutout. Mrazek earned a shutout win with a career-high 41 saves in last season's opener at Ferris State.

 

Ferris State rookie goaltender Pat Nagle (Bloomfield, MI) made 26 saves in the loss.

 

The Bulldogs (0-1) came out hard in the second period, but had a tough time solving Union's defense, recording seven shots in the middle stanza. Their best chance of the frame came with just over three minutes left when J.T. Dahlinger (Grosse Pointe Park, MI) passed back and forth with Casey Haines (Indiana, PA) as the pair attacked the net, but Dahlinger's shot went just wide of the near post.

 

Ferris State held a 9-4 shot advantage in the final period. Cody Chupp's (Big Rapids, MI) shot from the blue line on the power play made it through traffic, but Mrazek made the quick glove save to keep the Bulldogs off the board.

 

The Dutchmen dominated at the faceoff dot, winning 48 of 72 draws (.666), starting right off the bat with Valery-Trabucco winning the opening draw. Sam Bowles (Davidsonville, MD) won 16 of 23 (.696), including several key draws in the Union zone as time waned in the final frame after Ferris State had pulled its goaltender for the extra attacker. Walters continued his success at the dot, winning 12 of 14 draws.

 

Union's freshman class made an excellent showing in its first game. Defenseman Brock Matheson (Gananoque, ON) recorded two blocked shots, while John Simpson (Boxborough, MA) won five faceoffs and had a pair of shots. Stephane Boileau (Blainville, QC) blocked two shots and recorded a shot as well. In addition to his assist, Presizniuk made his first career start.

 

Union held Ferris State scoreless in five power-play attempts, but also failed to score in three of its own. The Dutchmen did record three short-handed shots in one attempt during the second period.

 

The two teams face off again on Saturday night in a 7 p.m. game at Messa Rink. The game can be heard in the Schenectady area on 89.7 WRUC-FM.