Box Score
ITHACA, NY – Junior forward
Jason Walters scored for the fourth consecutive game and senior defenseman
Lane Caffaro netted his fifth power-play goal of the season in Union's 5-2 loss on Saturday night against Cornell at Lynah Rink. The setback moves the Dutchmen's conference record to 8-10-2 and their overall record to 15-14-3. The Big Red clinched a first-round bye, improving its ECAC Hockey mark to 12-5-3 and its overall record to 16-6-4.
Walters earned his 12th goal of the season and fourth power-play goal, while Caffaro enjoyed his career-high eighth tally of the year. Entering the weekend, Caffaro was leading all ECAC Hockey defenseman with 21 points.
Senior defenseman
Brendan Milnamow registered his ninth assist on the year, while junior forward
Mario Valery-Trabucco picked up his 14th, giving him 24 points. Junior defenseman
Mike Schreiber also registered his ninth helper.
Union's power-play went 2-for-5, while the penalty kill fought off 2-of-4 chances.
Cornell was led by the sophomore forward Riley Nash, who had two goals and two assists. His brother, junior defenseman, Brendan Nash registered three assists. Freshman defenseman Keir Ross posted a career-high two goals.
The Big Red, which entered the weekend on a three-game skid, came out flying, jumping out on the Dutchmen for a 3-0 lead. Freshman defenseman Keir Ross scored 2:21 into the first into the game and sophomore forward Riley Nash potted goals at 5:06 – on the power play – and at 16:51. Junior forward Blake Gallagher earned assists on the first two tallies and junior defenseman Brendon Nash registered helpers on the last two.
A 5-on-3 helped Union gain some momentum heading into the intermission. As the Dutchmen moved the puck around the offensive end, Walters positioned himself in the slot. As Milnamow appeared to make a pass to Caffaro, Walters took the pass and sniped his 25th career goal over the shoulder of junior goaltender Ben Scriven and off the crossbar at 18:27.
At 8: 39 of the second, Caffaro pulled Union within one (3-2) with his fifth power-play goal of the season. Schreiber sent a simple pass to Caffaro, who one-timed the puck past the glove of Scrivens. The goal marked the 10th time this season Union has had two or more man-advantage tallies.
Ross stopped the Dutchmen's push with his second goal of the game at 12:02 of the second. The goal came off a scrum in front, giving Riley Nash his third point of the game. Senior forward Evan Barlow also posted an assist.
Barlow got his name on the score sheet and put the Big Red up 5-2 at the 9:38 mark while on the power play. The Nash brothers were credited with the assist.
Union now faces a pivotal home series when St. Lawrence comes to Messa Rink on Friday, Feb 27 at 7 p.m. The following night on Saturday, Feb. 28 Clarkson closes out the regular season at 7 p.m.
