SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – A four-goal first period was the difference maker for the Union College men's hockey team in a 6-2 loss to the University of Vermont on Friday night at Messa Rink.

Juniors Brandon Buhr and John Prokop each scored a goal for the Garnet Chargers while four different skaters registered an assist.

"[After the game], we had an honest conversation about what it means to wear the jersey," said head coach Josh Hauge after the game. "We're a blue collar, hardworking team and we weren't tonight." 

Both teams went 1-for-3 on the powerplay tonight.

Junior Nate Hanley won 17 of his 23 faceoffs to lead all skaters. As a team, Union won 39 of 67 draws.

The teams came out firing in the opening period with six goals scored between the two teams and Vermont holding a 17-7 advantage in shots. The opening minutes of the first period saw both teams generating scoring chances, but it was the Catamounts who struck first. A battle at the wall saw Isak Walther gain possession and send a pass across the slot. Simon Jellus buried the puck into the right side of the net to give Vermont a 1-0 lead. Union tied it up on the powerplay. The visitors regained the lead 1:21 later with a goal from Joel Matta, kicking off a string of three consecutive goals for Vermont. Buhr scored with 17.9 seconds remaining in the opening frame for his seventh goal of the year.

Trailing 4-2, the Catamounts extended their lead to three goals. After Philip Törnquist went to the box for slashing, the Xavier Henry scored short-handed 54 seconds into the penalty. Union fired four shots on goal in the last few minutes, but Axel Mangbo stood tall.

Junior Kyle Chauvette went to the bench with six minutes remaining in the third period in favor of the extra attacker. A shot on goal in the offensive end saw Luca Munzenberger collect the rebound and fire it the length of the ice for the empty netter.

Chauvette made 22 saves in the loss, including 13 in the first period. Mangbo stopped 14 shots in the second period in a 28-save win.

"It wasn't good enough," said senior captain Cullen Ferguson in a post-game interview. "We need to be better. We're going to be better tomorrow." 

Union looks to snap a three-game losing streak and split the series with Vermont tomorrow afternoon. Puck drop is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Messa Rink.