CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. – After a weekend split for the Union College men's hockey team to open ECAC Hockey play, first-year Cal Mell and senior Connor Murphy were named the Rookie of the Week and the MAC Goaltending Goaltender of the Week, respectively, the conference announced Monday.

Mell had a big game for Union on Saturday, tallying an assist on three of Union's six goals. The first-year has become a staple on the blue line and on the powerplay, with all three assists coming on the player advantage.  

Murphy made 53 saves in a weekend split with RPI. The senior made 30 stops on Friday and 23 saves Saturday, including some big stops on the penalty kill late in the third period.

Saturday was one for the history books as Union posted a 6-0 win over the Engineers. Union has only held the Engineers scoreless at home once prior to Saturday, a 7-0 win on February 23, 1924. Murphy's fourth shutout with the Dutchmen moves him into a tie for sixth-place in Union's career shutout list, tying Keith Kinkaid (2009-11), who posted four shutouts in two seasons.

Union's first-year class has been making an impact, accounting for three of the four Rookie of the Week honors awarded this season. Mell joins fellow defensemen Nick Young and John Prokop on earning the honor.

Union travels north next weekend for a match-up with ECAC Hockey foe Clarkson University. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from Cheel Arena.