SCHENECTADY, NY – The Union College men's hockey team snapped a six-game winless streak with a 3-0 win over visiting Yale University in ECAC Hockey League action Friday night at Messa Rink. Matt Cook (Belle Mead, NJ) and Chris Potts (Phillipsburg, NJ) led the Dutchmen with a goal and an assist, while Justin Mrazek (Regina, SK) earned his third shutout of the season with 29 saves.

 

Union (14-16-3, 7-5-2 ECACHL) struck late in the first period as Cook registered the eventual game winner at 18:27 of the opening stanza. Sam Bowles (Davidsonville, MD) threw the puck down low into the corner to Potts, who brought the puck behind the net. Potts found Cook wide open in front of the net, as Cook poked the puck past Yale netminder Alec Richards for his 12^th goal of the season. Yale outshot the Dutchmen in the opening frame, 11-8, but Mrazek held the Bulldogs at bay.

 

Potts put the Dutchmen up, 2-0, with just 15 seconds remaining in the second period with his second goal in as many games, and his fifth on the season. Michael Beynon (Nepean, ON) sent a long clearing pass to Cook in the neutral zone, who was joined by Potts as the pair headed for the Yale zone. Cook swung the puck to Potts as he gained momentum through the right side of the neutral zone, and Potts skated it in alone, placing his shot just inside the far post.

 

Olivier Bouchard (Quebec City, QC) gave Union insurance with his 11^th goal of the season at the start of the third period, extending the Dutchmen's lead to 3-0. Beynon sent another long clearing pass out to Mario Valery-Trabucco (Montreal, QC), who took a shot from the right circle. Richards made the initial save, but kicked it out to the low left where Bouchard was waiting. Bouchard's shot slid across the goal line at 5:48.

 

Yale (10-15-3, 7-13-1 ECACHL) threatened late in the game, as the Bulldogs held a 29-23 shot advantage on the night. Senior Brad Mills had several opportunities, including a point-blank shot from Mrazek's stick side that crossed the crease as Union's netminder made a glove save with less than seven minutes remaining. Mills again had an opportunity two minutes later as he walked into the Union zone and fired at the net, but Mrazek again came up with the crucial save.

 

The Dutchmen held the Bulldogs to 0-for-6 on the power play, including three opportunities in the middle frame, but were scoreless in just two chances themselves.

 

Richards made 20 saves for Yale, and stands at 9-14-2 on the season. Mrazek improves to 13-15-3.

 

Union is back in action on Saturday, February 24, when the Dutchmen host Brown in their final regular-season game. Union will honor its three seniors- Bouchard, Dan Tatar (Queensbury, NY) and captain Sean Streich (Kimberley, BC) after tomorrow's game.