SCHENECTADY, NY – The men's ice hockey team returns home for a season-long, five-game home stand, beginning on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. against American International. The following night on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m., the Dutchmen welcome Sacred Heart to Messa Rink. Tickets for both games can be purchased online at
UnionAthleticsTickets.com. Fans that can't make it to Messa Rink can listen to the broadcast on WRUC 89.7 FM or online (
click here). Video will also be available (
click here) and a new live stat format will debut (
click here).
The Dutchmen (2-1-1) look to rebound after going 0-1-1 at #19 St. Cloud last weekend. Riding high after four games is junior forward
John Simpson, who is off to the best start of his career with two goals and three assists. He has at least one point in each game, including two points (a goal and an assist) against Maine on Oct. 10.
Also playing well are Simpson's line mates, sophomore
Brian Yanovitch and freshman
Wayne Simpson -- both were named to the ECAC Hockey Weekly Honor Roll this week. After missing the season-opener, Yanovitch has produced in each game, including a career-high two points with a goal and an assist at St. Cloud on Oct. 16.
Wayne Simpson, John's younger brother, extended his scoring streak to two games, registering his third and fourth points in two games with two assists in a 3-3 tie at St. Cloud on Friday.
American International kicks off its 2009-10 season against Union. This Atlantic Hockey team finished with a 5-28-2 mark with a 10th-place 5-22-1 conference showing. The Yellow Jackets return eight of their top 10 scorers and three of their top four defensemen. Sophomore forward Chris Campanale returns after posting 18 points with seven goals and 11 assists last season. He is joined by junior forward Steve McLeod and sophomore forward Michael Penny who had 16 and 15 points, respectively.
Friday's game marked only the third game between these two teams all-time with Union prevailing in the previous. The Dutchmen won the first outing on Oct. 19, 2003, 6-3, and followed with a win last year on Dec. 9, 6-0.
Head coach C.J. Marottolo makes his debut on Friday night as the Pioneers begin their season at RPI before coming to Messa Rink on Saturday. A year ago, Sacred Heart posted an 11-23-4 record with a 9-16-3 showing for an eighth place finish in Atlantic Hockey. Seniors Erik Boisvert and Dave Jarman are the top returners with each producing 29 points last seaon. Boisvert had 15 goals and 14 assists, while Jarman produced 11 goals and 18 assists. Freshman Eric Delong, who had 93 points last season for Portage (Manitoba) and was named the Canadian Junior Tier II Player of the Year, is the Pioneers top newcomer.
Union and Sacred Heart are meeting for only the third time. The Dutchmen are 2-0 with a 4-3 overtime win on Jan. 23, 2004 and a 5-2 victory on Oct. 14, 2005. None of Union's student-athletes have ever played against Sacred Heart.
