SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Union extended its win streak to eight games with a 3-2 victory over Dartmouth at Messa Rink in a rare mid-week contest.  The win moved the ninth-ranked Dutchmen into sole possession of first place in ECAC Hockey.  Union (11-3-2) is off to its best conference start as a Division I program, having earned 16 of a possible 18 points behind an 8-1-0 league mark.

The victory did not come easily, as Union was outshot for just the second time this season (39-30). Looking to avenge a 7-2 loss in the conference opener against Union on Nov. 1, Dartmouth (2-10-0/2-8-0) led most of the game before Union scored twice in the third period to win for the 10th time in 11 outings.

Dartmouth's Tyler Sikura opened scoring with a slapshot at 3:22 of the first period.  Daniel Carr answered for Union 17 seconds into the second period, with a shot between the circles.

Just 39 seconds later, the Big Green reclaimed the lead behind Ryan Bullock's first goal of the season.

The visitors held on the 2-1 advantage until the 9:39 mark of the third period, when Nick Cruice knocked home a loose puck just outside the crease.  Freshman Michael Pontarelli then provided the game-winning goal with 3:46 left in regulation, tapping in a rebound to the left of the net on the power play.

Goaltender Colin Stevens made a career-high 37 saves to record his seventh straight win.

Union continues a busy week by traveling to top-ranked St. Cloud State for a pair of nonconference games this weekend (Dec. 13-14).