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8-3-5

Toyota UConn Classic #18 Union vs. #15 UMass Dec. 29 at 4:05 p.m. Bentley vs. UConn Dec. 29 at 7:05 p.m. Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser Dec. 30 at 4:05 p.m. Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner Dec. 30 at 4:05 p.m.

STORRS, CT -- The last time the 18th-ranked Union College men's ice hockey team laced up the skates was on Dec. 11 and a 4-1 win against the United States U-18 team. That game didn't count towards the standings, but the nine previous games did and all nine resulted in a Union win or tie. The Dutchmen put the second longest unbeaten streak in the nation and in program history on the line when they go to the Toyota UConn Classic on Tuesday, Dec. 29 and Wednesday, Dec. 30.

The Dutchmen (8-3-5) will face its first ranked opponent since entering the top 20 on Dec. 7 when they square-off with 15th-ranked UMass (10-5-0) on Tuesday at 4:05 p.m.. Depending on the outcome, Union will either face UConn (2-12-2) or Bentley (6-7-3) on Wednesday at 4:05 p.m. r 7:05 p.m.

Fans can follow the action online at Teamline.cc or on the radio at WRUC 89.7 FM. As usual Matt Dubrey and Brian Unger '93 will provide the action. Live stats for all four games of the tournament can be seen at UConnHuskies.com.

A win on Friday won't only increase the team's winning percentage that already sits at a .656 mark after 16 games (best in school history), but it will also be head coach Nate Leaman's 100th career victory. Entering the UMass game, Leaman has a 99-108-30 record, which ranks tops among Union Division I coaches. Charlie Morrison (1978-88) has the current record at all levels with a 122-146-9 showing.

If Union claims the tournament title, it will be the third in four tournament wins in the last two seasons. After not winning one since the 1993 Concordia Invitational, the Dutchmen have claimed trophies at the 2008 Governor's Cup and the 2009 RPI Holiday Tournament.

Leading Union into battle is senior forward Mario Valery-Trabucco, who is having a career year with a team-high 10 goals, 11 assists and 21 points. He has at least one point in 10 games and three points in an outing three times. The Dutchmen are 5-1-2 this season and 24-8-4 all-time when he scores a goal.

Backstopping the team is freshman Keith Kinkaid with a 5-1-2 record in nine starts. He is currently on a seven-game unbeaten streak with a 5-0-2 mark. This season, Kinkaid has posted a 2.58 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. During his unbeaten streak, he has registered a 2.08 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage.

The action doesn't end at UConn this week. The Dutchmen travels to Army on Saturday, Jan. 2 for a 7:05 p.m. start.