SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College men's hockey team dropped a tough 3-2 decision to the University of Vermont on Saturday evening at Messa Rink.

Defensemen John Prokop and Joseph Messina both scored for Union.

After a scoreless first period that saw the Catamounts hold a 12-4 edge in shots, the second period erupted for four goals between the teams. Three penalties were called in a span of 55 seconds which ultimately put Vermont on a 4-on-3 powerplay. The Catamounts cashed in with a power-play marker by Max Strand at 10:55 of the second period. A bench minor on Vermont extended the run of penalties to just over 14 minutes into the middle frame. Vermont capitalized only 22 seconds after both teams returned to even strength with a goal from Jens Richards.

The Garnet Chargers responded only 22 seconds later with Prokop's second goal of the series. First-year Lucas Buzziol chipped the puck to classmate Riley Brueck in the center of the right circle before finding Prokop wide open in the opposite circle. The blueliner picked the opposite corner for his fifth goal of the season. Union tied it up later in the period with a goal from Messina. Junior Colby MacArthur made a strong pass from the end boards, firing the puck under a defender's stick to Messina at the blue line. Messina sent a one-timer from the top of the slot for his first goal of the season.  

Union had several great scoring chances in the third period, including a shot by first-year Ben Muthersbaugh that rang off the pipe. The Catamounts scored the eventual game-winning goal with 3:01 to play. Prokop blocked a shot from Blake Steenerson that went into the corner where three players battled for possession. The puck came free and Joel Maatta chipped it from the wall to Simon Jellus in front for the score.

Junior Kyle Chauvette stopped 12 shots in the opening period and made 31 saves on the night. Axel Mangbo picked up his second win of the weekend with 19 saves.

The team returns to action on Friday, January 3 with a trip to ECAC Hockey foe Brown University. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Meehan Auditorium.