| Union at Niagara |
| Friday, November 29, 2024 • Niagara Falls, N.Y. • Dwyer Arena • 6:00 p.m. |
| Live Stats • Video Stream |
This Weekend
After taking last weekend off, Union returns to action with the first trip outside of the Capital Region in over a month. The Garnet Chargers face the Purple Eagles of Niagara University for a two-game series beginning on Friday.
Supporting Matt DuBrey
The Union Hockey family is banding together to support our beloved broadcaster, Matt DuBrey, in his recent cancer diagnosis. DuBrey, Union's play-by-play broadcaster for over 20 years, was diagnosed last Friday and has begun treatment. There is a
GoFundMe set up to assist DuBrey and his family during this time.
Gone Streaking
Junior
Brandon Buhr currently holds one of the longest active point streaks in the NCAA going into this weekend. Buhr is on an eight-game streak dating back to October 18. In that time, Buhr has nine points (4-5-9) and is currently tied for third on the team in scoring. The nation's leader is Denver's Aidan Thompson who is on a 14 game point streak dating back to October 5.
On the Road Again
Union goes on their first true road trip since the second week of the season, when the team went east for games against Stonehill College and Boston University. This weekend kicks off back-to-back weekends on the road before the team returns to Messa Rink on December 13-14 to close out the 2024 portion of the schedule.
Last Time Out
Union split the series against the North Country teams two weeks ago with a 4-0 win against St. Lawrence on Friday and a 4-1 loss to Clarkson on Saturday. The Garnet Chargers were off this past weekend, the second bye week for the team in the first half.
Junior
Kyle Chauvette registered his fifth career shutout with 19 saves against the Saints. Classmate
Carter Korpi struck twice with a short-handed goal and an empty-netter to seal the deal.
The Saturday showdown with the Golden Knights was a different story as sophomore
DJ Hart was the lone goal scorer for Union.
Scouting the Purple Eagles
Niagara is off to a 7-5-3 campaign with a 6-3-2 record in AHA play to rank second in the conference. They are currently two points back from league-leading Bentley. To date, Niagara has played in seven overtime games, including their season-opening exhibition game against Ohio State. The Purple Eagles are coming off a weekend split of conference rival AIC.
The Purple Eagles have five skaters that have reached double-digit scoring through 15 games. Shane Ott leads the way with 16 points (3-13-16) in 15 games. Jay Ahearn leads the team with eight goals and is second on the team in scoring with 14 points (8-6-14). Tyler Wallace (4-7-11) has three power-play goals to pace the special teams.
In goal, Pierce Charleson has played in 14 games with a 7-4-3 record and one shutout. Charleson boasts a .927 save percentage and a 2.61 GAA.
Hot Start
Union compiled a 6-1-0 record in the month of October, marking the best start for a Union squad since the 1976-77 team won their first seven games.
The Capital Skates are Home!
For the first time since 2017, the Capital Skates trophy has returned to Schenectady. Union won game one of the series in Troy, 6-3, and followed it up with a 4-3 win at home.
Powered Up Powerplay
The Union powerplay exploded for four goals against RPI on Oct. 25, which marked the most for a Union team since they scored four on the player advantage on February 11, 2017, an 8-3 win at Dartmouth. The team went 4-for-9 on the powerplay with 23 shots on the player advantage. The team followed it up the next night with a 1-for-2 effort.
The Kid's Alright
First-year
Ben Muthersbaugh has been a spark for the Union offense this year with 13 points (6-7-13) in seven games. The rookie leads all first-years nationally and is currently tied for fourth in scoring overall.
Awards Keep Coming
First-year
Ben Muthersbaugh had a stellar start to his collegiate career. After being named the ECAC Hockey #Bitcoin Rookie of the Week twice, and Forward of the Week, presented by Bluebird Hotels, the first-year was honored as the ECAC Hockey Rookie and Forward of the Month. His play also caught national attention as the Hockey Commissioners Association named him the HCA Rookie of the Month.
Defender of the Month
Junior alternate captain
John Prokop was named the ECAC Hockey Defender of the Month for October. The blueliner has six points (3-3-6) in seven games, including the overtime game-winning goal against Army West Point.
Weekly Awards
First-year
Ben Muthersbaugh put together a stellar weekend against Mercyhurst with seven points (3-4-7) including his first collegiate goal and hat trick. He was named the ECAC Hockey Forward of the Week, presented by Bluebird Hotels, and the ECAC Hockey #Bitcoin Rookie of the Week.
Throw Those Hats
First-year
Ben Muthersbaugh scored a hat trick on Friday night against Mercyhurst, making him the first Union rookie to score a hat trick since Daniel Carr '14 recorded one in a 6-2 win against Army West Point on Dec. 11, 2010. The hat trick was part of a five-point night, making him the first Union skater to score five in a game since Mike Vecchione '17 recorded five (4-1-5) on Oct. 22, 2016.
Strength in Center
Union has been exceptionally strong on the faceoff this season. The Garnet Chargers are currently ranked fourth in the country with a 56.9% win percentage through seven games. First-year
Drew Sutton and junior
Parker Lindauer are tied for fourth nationally with 66 faceoff wins. Sutton has a team-best 61.7% win rate followed by sophomore
Jacob Jeannette at 57.7%. Lindauer comes in at 56.4% with junior
Nate Hanley rounding out the centers at 50.6%.
Shots, Shots, Shots!
Union has been peppering the opposition with shots this season. Through three games, Union is averaging 37.4 shots per game. The Garnet Chargers put up a season-high 45 shots on goal in at Stonehill. The team opened the season with a now season-low 34 shots against Army West Point and tied that number on Friday against Mercyhurst.
All-Messa Rink Teams
Over the course of the season, Union fans will have a chance to vote for the best players to don the garnet and white over the years. Your votes (both online and in person at Messa Rink) will help to determine which players will be recognized on the Union Hockey All-Messa Rink Teams, which will be announced later in the season.
Welcome Back Alumni
The men's team will welcome back the inaugural 1975-76 team as well as the 1983-84 Division III national runners-up on Saturday, February 1 to be recognized during Union's game against Brown University. On Saturday, February 15, Union will be inviting back members of the first Division I team from 1991-92 as well as the 2011-12 Frozen Four team to be recognized during the game against Princeton University.
The Final Season
The 2024-25 season marks the final season at Messa Rink for both the Union College men's and women's hockey programs. Beginning in 2025-26, the teams will play down the road at Mohawk Harbor Arena. The Union men are 388-283-72 (.570) all-time at Messa Rink with a 217-201-67 (.515) record as a Division I program.
Captaining the Ship
Senior
Cullen Ferguson was named the captain of the 2024-25 team. Joining him as alternate captains are seniors
Caden Villegas and
Josh Nixon as well as juniors
Nick Young and
John Prokop.
All-American Era
John Prokop returns for his junior campaign after earning All-America Second Team East honors last season. Prokop led the team in scoring for the second-straight season with 35 points (8-27-35).
Picked Eighth
Despite finishing in sixth last season, Union was selected to finish eighth in the ECAC Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll. Union garnered 60 points in the votes, only six back from seventh-place St. Lawrence.
Double Trouble
Senior
Caden Villegas and junior
John Prokop were two players to watch last season as they both recorded 30 or more points. Villegas and Prokop became the first Union duo to put up a 30-spot since the 2017-18 season saw three skaters reach the 30-point mark.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered!
Head Coach
Josh Hauge signed a contract extension this offseason to stay on as head coach through 2028-29.
Welcome Home
Over the summer, the 2014 National Championship team returned to Schenectady for their 10 year reunion. The team met at Mohawk Harbor to sign a steel plate that will be installed at Union's new rink.
This is What Champs are Made of
June 24, 2024 was a night to remember as two alumni won championships in the same night. Mike Vecchione '17 and the Hershey Bears defeated the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the AHL Calder Cup Championship to win their second-straight title. Former student manager and video coordinator, Thomas Harding '19, lifted the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in a thrilling game seven. Harding is the Communication Manager for the Panthers.
Not So Young Anymore
Union is one of the older teams in the country in terms of age. On average, the team is 22.6 years old. Of Union's 28 players, 17 are either juniors or seniors. Union's junior class boasts 11 members.
Return Them
Union boasts one of the top returning teams in terms of scoring. The Garnet Chargers returned 219 points, which ranks 10th in the NCAA.
Preseason Pick
Junior
John Prokop was named the ECAC Hockey Preseason All-ECAC Hockey team, the first Union skater to be honored since Mike Vecchione '17 was recognized in the 2016-17 season.
Adding the Assist
Head coach
Josh Hauge added two members to his coaching staff this past summer.
Mike Zannella joins the team from the USHL's Lincoln Stars. Also joining the staff is
Sean Speck '24, a former member of the men's soccer team, and hockey equipment assistant.
