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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - Union begins a stretch of six non-conference games with two opponents from the Atlantic Hockey Association, American International College and Army on Armed Forces Appreciation Weekend. Fans with a Military ID will be admitted free to each the two games. On Saturday night, Union will host a Toys for Tots drive in coordination with the United States Marine Corps. The event is sponsored by Sondra's Fine Jewelry. Fans that bring a new unwrapped toy to the game will be admitted free and have a chance to win $10,000 and a diamond hockey stick donated by Sondra's.
Union Looks to Continue Success Against AHA Opponents
The Dutchmen have enjoyed recent success against AHA teams, compiling a record of 6-0-1 in their last seven games against Atlantic Hockey opponents, a streak that began with a 7-0 win at Connecticut on Dec. 30, 2009.
This season alone, Union is 4-0-1 against opponents from Atlantic Hockey, including wins against Sacred Heart, Niagara, and RIT. Union holds a 3-0-0 record against American International in the Division I era, winning the last meeting 4-2 at Messa Rink on Oct. 23, 2009. The Dutchmen are 14-14-2 in the all-time series against Army, including an 11-0-1 unbeaten streak in the last 12 meetings, dating back to Nov. 6, 1993.
Union Continues National Poll Streak, Ranked No. 13
The Union men's ice hockey team remained at No. 13 in both the USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls released Monday. The Dutchmen earned 412 points in the USCHO.com poll and picked up 114 points in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll.
This marks the 23rd consecutive week the Dutchmen have been ranked in the USCHO.com poll, extending a school record. Union has been ranked in seven consecutive weeks in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll.
Scouting AIC
The Yellow Jackets entor the weekend on a hot streak, having won three of their last four games. Last Saturday, AIC salavaged a split against RIT with a 6-2 victory against the Tigers. Sophomore forward Adam Pleskach, who had a goal and an assist in AIC's most recent victory, leads the Yellow Jackets offense with six goals and 13 points in 12 games played. AIC is 12th in the Atlantic Hockey Association in scoring defense, allowing 4.50 goals per game. Sophomore goaltender Ben Meisner is 4-7-0 with a 3.61 goals against average and .908 save percentage.
Last Meeting Against AIC
Wayne Simpson registered his first career goal, the game-winner, helping Union to a 4-2 victory against American International at Messa Rink on Oct 23, 2009.
AIC rallied from a 2-0 deficit with second period goals from Pleskach and Richard Leitner, but Simpson scored at 1:52 of the third period to give Union the lead.
Goaltender Corey Milan became the first Union goaltender since Kris Mayotte '06 in 2002-03 to begin a season 3-0-1. Milan made 23 saves for his 28th career victory, moving him past Mayotte for sole possession of third place on Union's all-time wins list.
Scouting Army
After starting the season 0-4-0, the Black Knights have recovered with a 4-4-1 record in their last nine games, including wins at Massachusetts, and at home against Niagara.
Junior forward Danny Colvin (five goals, eight assists) and senior forward Cody Omilusik lead Army up front. The Black Knights are an experienced squad, with only three freshmen on the roster.
Last Meeting Against Army
Jason Walters scored the game-winning goal at 3:04 of overtime to give Union a 2-1 victory at Army on Jan. 2, 2010 in the Dutchmen's final non-conference tilt of the regular season last year. A fast-paced defensive battle with flashes of speedy offensive possessions included stellar netminding by junior Corey Milan and Army's Jay Clark. Milan made 18 stops, while Clark turned away 39 Union shots.
