HAMDEN, Conn. – A three-goal first period was the difference maker as the Union College men's hockey team fell 6-2 to #9 Quinnipiac University on Friday night at M&T Bank Arena.

Union (13-14-2, 7-8-2) remains in fifth place in the conference standings, only one point back from fourth-place Clarkson.

Tonight's contest marked the 100th collegiate game for junior Cullen Ferguson.

Senior Liam Robertson continued his strong play at center with 15 faceoff wins out of 26 opportunities to lead all skaters.

The sophomore duo of John Prokop and Nate Hanley each scored for the Garnet Chargers.

The Bobcats jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period. Quinnipiac struck first with seven seconds remaining on the powerplay with a goal from Iivari Rasanen. Travis Treloar and Andon Cerbone scored 38 seconds apart later in the frame to give the hosts the advantage.

With 54 seconds remaining on the powerplay to start the second period, Union capitalized with goal from Prokop only 21 seconds in. The blueliner's shot initially went off the glass behind the net before it bounced off of Vinny Duplessis and in for the score. The Bobcats regained a three-goal lead a few minutes later on a goal from Christophe Fillion. Union cut the lead to two goals at 15:03 of the middle stanza. Sophomore Colby MacArthur sent a pass from the right-wing corner to Hanley all alone in the slot and the center fired it home for the score.

Down by two, Union put 10 shots on goal in the final period, but could not get one past Duplessis. The Bobcats tallied two more goals in the third stanza to seal the victory for the hosts.

Sophomore Kyle Chauvette made 36 saves in the loss. Duplessis stopped 20 shots in 56:27 minutes of game time and Noah Altman entered the game for the final 3:33 and made two saves.

Union looks for the weekend split with a game at Princeton University tomorrow. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Hobey Baker Rink.