NEW HAVEN, Conn.-Junior goalie Alex Sakellaropoulos made 30 saves on 31 shots and freshman forward Brendan Taylor netted his first career game-winning goal to lead the Union College men’s ice hockey team to a 2-1 ECAC Hockey win against #11/12 Yale, Friday night at Ingalls Rink.
The Dutchmen, who snapped Yale’s eight-game unbeaten streak, go to 10-9-6 overall and 3-7-3 in league play, while the Bulldogs move to 11-5-4 and 6-4-3 in the league.
Union found itself in a 1-0 hole in the opening 2:30 for the third time in four games, as Carson Cooper collected a shot off the end boards and slotted the rebound home at 2:24.
The Dutchmen struck quickly in the second, tying the game 3:53 into the frame. Spencer Foo drove into Union’s offensive zone and used the defenseman as a screen, unleashing a slap shot and beating Lyon high on the blocker side after picking up the puck in the neutral zone. The goal was Foo’s 50th career point.
The Bulldogs nearly pulled back in front midway through the second with a 3-on-1 short-handed break, but Mike Doherty’s shot rang off the post.
Union broke the deadlock 2:52 into the third on Taylor’s second of the year. Tyler Hynes threw a puck to the front of the net and Lyon made the initial save, but Taylor was on the doorstep for the rebound, pouncing on the loose puck and tucking a backhand into the empty goal.
The Bulldogs had a flurry of chances over the final five minutes, but Sakellaropoulos was up to the task, turning away all nine shots he faced in the frame to help seal the 2-1 victory.
The Dutchmen finished 0-for-4 on the power play, while the Bulldogs went 0-for-2. Lyon made 30 saves on 32 shots.
Union travels to Brown Saturday, Jan. 30 for a 7 p.m. contest.
