SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Tied at two each going into the third period, the Union College men's hockey team dropped a late goal to Dartmouth College to fall 3-2 in game one of the ECAC Hockey Quarterfinals on Friday night at Messa Rink.

The Garnet Chargers held a 25-19 advantage in shots, but lost the faceoff battle 24-31.

Union went a perfect 2-for-2 on the penalty kill, but did not get a powerplay opportunity. This is the second game this season that a Union opponent did not commit a penalty.

First-year Lucas Buzziol and senior Josh Nixon both lit the lamp for the Garnet Chargers. Junior Brendan Miles recorded a multi-point night for Union with two assists.

Union dominated the opening few minutes of the game. Cooper Flinton blocked three shots in a row for Dartmouth and the Garnet Chargers put three shots on net. Buzziol scored the first playoff goal of his career at 5:54 of the opening period. Skating up the ice on a two-on-one, Buzziol ripped a shot from the left wing circle to beat Dartmouth netminder Emmett Croteau. The Big Green tied it up less than four minutes later with a goal by Nikita Nikora.

Tied at one each going into the middle frame, Nixon scored the go-ahead goal only 93 seconds in. Senior Caden Villegas made a cross ice pass to Nixon on the left side of the net. Nixon fired it home past Croteau for his 13th goal of the season. The Big Green tied the game up late in the period with a goal at 17:10 from Braiden Dorfman.

Dartmouth scored the eventual game-winning goal at 7:33 of the third period. Sean Chisholm tipped a shot in front for the lead. Junior Kyle Chauvette went to the bench with 3:07 to play in favor of the extra attacker, but could not convert with the extra skater.

Chauvette made 16 saves in the loss. Croteau stopped 14 shots in the first period and 23 overall in the win.  

Union looks to tie the series tomorrow in game two of the ECAC Hockey Quarterfinals. Puck drop in the best-of-three series is set for 4:00 p.m. tomorrow at Messa Rink.