Coach Bennett Postgame Video
M. Bodie, Simpson Postgame Video

SCHENECTADY, NY – Senior forward Wayne Simpson and junior forward Daniel Carr each had a goal and an assist and junior defenseman Mat Bodie added three assists to lead No. 19 men's hockey (12-8-4, 6-4-3 ECAC Hockey) to a 4-1 win over Harvard (5-11-1, 3-9-0 ECAC Hockey) in front of 1,624 fans at Messa Rink.

The Dutchmen, who led 1-0 on Max Novak's power play goal in the second period, notched three third period goals after going six games without scoring in the third period.  Simpson (power play), freshman forward Matt Wilkins (even strength), and Carr (empty net), all scored for the Dutchmen, who notched back-to-back wins for the first time since sweeping Penn State on Nov. 24-25.

Junior goaltender Troy Grosenick (8-6-4) made 22 saves to earn the win in net, while Harvard goaltender Raphael Girard stopped 34 shots.

In a game devoid of quality chances for either team in the early stages, sophomore forward Max Novak gave the Dutchmen the lead late in the second period when Harvard's Ryan McGregor was called for holding at 16:19. Mat Bodie fed Novak in the slot from straightaway, and Novak turned and beat Girard with a low shot at 17:37 to give Union a 1-0 lead heading into the final period of play.

Early in the third period, during a delayed hooking penalty on Harvard's Marshall Everson, Luke Greiner took a high-sticking penalty, giving the Dutchmen a two minute 5-on-3 power play opportunity.

Union, which entered the night with nation's No. 1 power play, capitalized in the opening minute of the two-man advantage. Mat Bodie fed Wayne Simpson behind the goal line and Simpson skated out in front of the net, shooting the puck over the shoulder of Girard to put Union up 2-0 at 8:12.

Union finished the night 2-for-6 on the man advantage.

Harvard's Jimmy Vesey would quickly cut the Union lead to 2-1 at 10:54, scoring on a quick shot off a faceoff win by Colin Blackwell.
But Union responded to regain control of the contest at 13:35. Mat Bodie found Wilkins curling towards the top of the offensive zone, and Wilkins fired a slapshot past Girard to give the Dutchmen a two-goal lead.

Bodie's three assists on the night matched a career high and moved him within four of Lane Caffaro's  '09 school DI record (79 points) for points by a defenseman.

Carr would add an empty net goal at 19:41 to seal the win for Union.

In the opening period, Union killed off Harvard's only power play chances of the contest. The Dutchmen killed off a too-many-men penalty at 8:11 without allowing Harvard any quality chances. With senior defenseman Greg Coburn in the penalty box for interference later in the period, Grosenick came up with a nice stop on Luke Greiner's drive from the left circle at 15:42, keeping the game scoreless after one period of play.

Union will take on RPI (8-10-5, 3-6-3 ECAC Hockey) on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. in the first-ever Mayor's Cup game at the Times Union Center.