Post Game Media

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Thanks to three first-period goals and 34 saves from first-year netminder Kyle Chauvette, the Union College men's hockey team hung on to beat the University of New Hampshire 3-2 from Messa Rink on Saturday afternoon.

Chauvette earned his first collegiate win, stopping 34 of 36 shots in his first start at home for Union.

Juniors Mason Snell and Liam Robertson, and first-year John Prokop all found the back of the net in the first period for Union. First-year Nick Young tallied two assists, while classmate Ethan Benz, senior Matt Allen, and Snell all registered an assist as well.

The Dutchmen jumped out to a 1-0 lead just 2:34 into the first period. Allen won a puck battle behind the net and wrapped a pass around the wall up to Prokop at the point. Prokop worked his way down to the top of the circle and fired a shot over UNH net minder Tyler Muszelik's glove and into the net. This was Prokop's second goal in as many games.

Union extended their lead just over half way through the first stanza. Snell and Young worked the puck around the top of the offensive zone before Young sent a wrist shot on goal. Young's shot was deflected down by Robertson and the puck snuck through the pads of Muszelik. This was Robertson's fifth of the season and doubled the Dutchmen lead.

Less then two minutes later, it was Union once again hitting pay dirt. Benz sent a pass up the wall from the corner to a waiting Young. Young whipped a point-to-point pass over to Snell, who walked in towards the top of the circle and sent a wrist shot over the blocker of the netminder to send the water bottle flying. This was Snell's third of the season and pushed the Union to 3-0.

The Dutchmen were out shot 12-6 in the period, but led 3-0 after the first 20 minutes.

Similar to last night, the Wildcats did not go away quietly. Sophomore Liam Devlin found the back of the net twice in a 3:29 span in the second period to pull the Wildcats within a goal. Devlin's first goal came on a UNH power-play opportunity. New Hampshire out shot Union 13-1 in the period, but still trailed 3-2 after 40 minutes of play.

The Wildcats continued to throw shot after shot towards Chauvette in the third period, but Chauvette stood tall, including making a kick save on a post to post slide. UNH outshot Union 36-10 for the game but fell 3-2. Union went 0-2 on the power-play and 2-3 on the penalty kill. 

The 10 shots are the fewest in a game by Union in the program's Division I era. The previous record for fewest shots in a victory was 13, coming in a 2-1 win over Cornell University on November 18, 2005.

Union (8-10-1, 3-5-0) wraps up 2022 with a 7-1-0 record on home ice. The team will return to action next weekend, as they welcome the Big Red of Cornell to Messa Rink on Friday, January 6, for an ECAC Hockey matchup. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m.