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SCHENECTADY, N.Y.--The Union College men's ice hockey team returns to ECAC Hockey action this weekend, hosting a pair of conference foes. The Dutchmen welcome #8/8 Harvard at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, before facing Dartmouth at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.
 
SCOUTING HARVARD
• The Crimson improved to 6-1-1 on the season, capturing the Shillelagh Tournament with a 4-1 win over host #18 Notre Dame and a 4-0 shutout against RPI in the final.
• Senior forward Jimmy Vesey enters Friday's contest on a five-game point streak (5g , 4a). He has produced a team best seven goals and 14 points and leads the nation in goals per game (0.88) while ranking tied for third in points per game (1.75).
• Netminder Merrick Madsen sits atop Division I in save percentage (.979) and goals against average (0.60) and is 5-0-0 with three shutouts.
• The Crimson have found balance at both ends of the ice, ranking second in team goals against average (1.38) and seventh in scoring offense (4.09). All six of Harvard's wins have come by three or more goals.
• Harvard has conceded just two power play goals going 26-for-28 (92.9%) on the penalty kill, while going 9-for-35 (25.71%) with the man advantage.
 
SERIES AGAINST THE CRIMSON
• Union is 14-30-5 all-time against Harvard in Union's Division I era.
• The Dutchmen are unbeaten in their last 11 against the Crimson, going 9-0-2. The two teams last met Jan. 30, 2015 with Union earning a 5-4 win. Matt Wilkins registered a goal and two assists and Jeff Taylor provide three helpers in the win.
• The teams skated to a 2-2 tie in their last meeting at Messa Rink. Spencer Foo netted the tying goal with an extra attacker with just 46 seconds left in regulation and Alex Sakellaropoulos stopped 31, including five in overtime.
 
SCOUTING DARTMOUTH
• The Big Green bounced back from a 7-0 loss at Michigan to tie the Wolverines on Saturday night. 
• In his first start of the season, sophomore goaltender Devin Buffalo stopped 37 shots to secure the 1-1 draw.
• Darmouth's two victories this season have come against Brown and Princeton.
• Troy Crema leads the Big Green with five assists and six points.
• Jack Barre and Nick Bligh are tied for the team high with four goals.
•  Three different goaltenders have seen time between the pipes for Dartmouth. James Kruger has a 2-2-0 mark with a 4.86 GAA and .844 save percentage, while Charles Grant has also seen a lot of action and has a 4.41 GAA. Buffalo holds a 1.90 GAA and a .942 save percentage in two appearances this season.
• The Big Green has struggled with the man advtange going 2-of-24 (8.3%), which ranks 58th in Division I.
•  Coach Bob Gaudet is now in his 19th season in
Hanover. Last season's squad won 17 games and reached the ECAC Quarterfinals after winning a home series vs. Princeton.
 
SERIES AGAINST THE BIG GREEN
• Union is 22-23-7 all time against Dartmouth.
• The Big Green swept the season series last year, winning 4-3 in overtime on the road and recording a 3-2 win at home in January.
• Darmouth's sweep of Union was its first against the Dutchmen since since 2000-01.
• The Dutchmen are 6-1-1 in their last eight home games against the Big Green.
 
LAST TIME OUT
• Union recorded its second shutout of the season, blanking #13/13 Merrimack Nov. 28. Four different Dutchmen scored in the win, while Alex Sakellaropoulous turned away 23 shots, including 10 in the third period, earning his first shutout of the year and the second of his career.
• Union now 14-2-2 in the last 18 vs. Hockey East foes.
 
ON THE SEASON
• Sakellaropoulos currently sits 18th in the country with a 2.19 goals against average and 22nd with a .924 save percentage.
• After going 3-for-3 against Merrimack, Union features one of the top penalty kills in Division I at 89.1% (41-of-46), ranking 10th.
• Ryan Scarfo (3g , 2 a) and Greg Campbell (5 a) have each notched five points against league opponents.
• Scarfo leads the team with six goals, while Campbell's five assists are second among Union skaters.
• Union is 3-1-1 against nationally ranked teams, and outscoring their opponents 13-4 in those three wins.