SCHENECTADY, NY - For the second straight year, No. 18/RV Union (19-12-5, 10-8-4 ECAC Hockey) will be making a trip to Atlantic City for ECAC Hockey Championship Weekend after sweeping Dartmouth in the ECAC Quarterfinals at Messa Rink this past weekend. Union's opponent will be No. 11/10 Yale (18-10-3, 12-9-1 ECAC Hockey) on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in Boardwalk Hall. For Union, it will mark the third time in the last four seasons that the program has made it to the ECAC Semifinals. Union is the only team from last year's semifinals to make it back to Atlantic City.
Union and Yale will meet for the first time in postseason play since a 2006 first round series at Messa Rink. Union finished this season 1-0-1 against Yale in two regular season meetings, including a 4-2 win on Feb. 15 at Messa Rink the last time the two teams met.
»Sullivan Continues Second Half Surge
Junior forward Kevin Sullivan has recorded nine (five goals, four assists) of his 11 points this season in the last 11 games, leading the team with three points (two goals, assist) in Union's 5-2 win over Dartmouth in Game 2 of the ECAC Quarterfinals last Saturday. Sullivan also recorded two goals in Union's series-clinching Game 2 win (4-2) over RPI last season in the ECAC Quarterfinals.
»Scoring In Every Period
Dating back to the third period at Cornell on Feb. 23, Union has now scored a goal in 13 straight periods over four-plus games, outscoring their opponents 20-5 in that span, with an average of 13.7 shots per period.
»Union's Penalty Kill On A Roll
Union which has done a great job staying out of the penalty box during their current, season-high four game winning streak, has not allowed a power play goal in four straight games and is 12 for 12 on the penalty kill dating back to its last PPG allowed on Feb. 23 at Cornell. Union is currently seventh in the nation on the penalty kill at 86.6% on the season.
»Carr and Simpson Chase Union's Career Goals Record
Junior forward Daniel Carr (54 goals) and senior forward Wayne Simpson (55) are both within reach of Mario Valery-Trabucco's '10 career goals record of 59. Simpson is tied with Jordan Webb '05 for second on the school's all-time goals list, with Carr right behind alone in fourth.
»Offensive Minded Defensemen
Union is one of two teams in the nation with three defenseman among the top-25 nationally in scoring (points per game). Junior defenseman Mat Bodie (6th, 0.77) leads the pack, while sophomore defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (11th, 0.75 points per game) hile and senior defenseman Greg Coburn (T-21st, 0.67) are also in the top-25.
»Scouting Yale
Top Players (2012-13 Stats): Jr. F Kenny Agostino (15 goals, 22 assists), Sr. F Andrew Miller (16 goals, 19 assists), Sr. F Antoine Laganiere (14 goals, 13 assists), So. D Tommy Fallen (7 goals, 15 assists), Jr. F Jesse Root (9 goals, 11 assists), Sr. G Jeff Malcolm (16-4-2, 2.28 GAA, .918 Save %)
Synopsis: No. 11/10 Yale (18-10-3, 12-9-1) has returned to its winning ways after hitting a rough patch midway through the season. After senior goaltender Jeff Malcolm was injured in a 4-2 win over Princeton on Feb. 1, Yale lost five games in a row, allowing close to four goals a game, while scoring just six goals in that span.
Since Malcolm returned on Feb. 23, Yale has won five games in a row, including an ECAC Quarterfinal sweep of St. Lawrence last weekend at Ingalls Rink. Yale is tied for 22nd in the country in scoring (3.00 goals per game) and has a dangerous power play (22.2%, No. 9 NCAA). Yale allows 2.68 goals/game (29th NCAA) and is 82.3% on the PK (33rd NCAA).
»The Union-Yale Series
In a series that dates back to Jan. 10, 1992, the Bulldogs own a 23-18-4 advantage over the Dutchmen. In the last five outings, Union has a 3-1-1 record, with the Dutchmen unbeaten in their last three meetings against the Bulldogs.
The last time these two teams met on Feb. 15, Union earned a 4-2 win at Messa Rink. On Jan. 28, 2011, Union defeated No. 1 Yale, 3-2 at Messa Rink to earn its first win over a top-ranked team in program history. The two teams took part in the second-longest game in NCAA history when Yale defeated Union in a five overtime game, 3-2, during the 2006 ECAC Hockey Playoffs.
»Union's Stellar Power Play
The Dutchmen have been solid on special teams play, particularly on the power play bettering impressive numbers from a season ago. Through 36 games, Union is 40-for-169 (23.7%, 3rd NCAA) on the power play. Union has scored a power play goal in 26 of 36 games this season, and has a record of 14-7-5 in those contests.
»Stevens Solid In Sub Role
Sophomore goaltender Colin Stevens, a Niskayuna native, has been solid in net in a substitute role this season. On Saturday night against Clarkson, Stevens recorded his third shutout of the season in just his eighth start, making 24 saves in a 4-0 win over the Golden Knights. Stevens is 5-3-0 with a 1.62 GAA and .931 save percentage this season.
»Going as Wayne Goes
Union's success this season has been tied to the play of senior forward Wayne Simpson, who is tied for the team lead in scoring with 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists). When Simpson registers a point, the team has a record of 17-2-3. When Simpson is not on the scoresheet, Union's record is 2-10-2.
»Union Against Ranked Teams
Dating back to the start of the 2011-12 season, Union is 11-8-5 against ranked competition. This season, the Dutchmen are 3-3-2 against ranked competition including a 4-2 win over No. 10 Yale on Feb. 15. Union is 8-4-2 in its last 14 games against teams ranked in either the USCHO.com poll or the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll.
»Three is the Magic Number
Union's record when reaching three goals this season is impressive, a testament to the team's strong defensive unit. Union is 16-0-2 this season when scoring three or more goals, but just 3-12-3 in games where they score two or fewer goals. Since the beginning of the 2011-12 season, Union is 40-0-7 when scoring three or more goals in a game.
