SCHENECTADY, NY—The Union College men’s hockey team rolled to 5-2 non-conference win against RIT, Friday night at Messa Rink in the team’s home opener. The Dutchmen, who improve to 5-0-1 all-time against the Tigers, go to 3-1-1 on the season, while RIT moves to 1-2-1.
Mike Vecchione led Union with his third multi-point game of the season, producing two goals and an assist. Spencer Foo added a goal and an assist and Brett Supinski had a pair of helpers for the second straight contest. Sebastian Vidmar and Eli Lichtenwald rounded out the scoring. In goal, Alex Sakellaropoulos made 16 saves for his third win of the season.
After a scoreless first period, Erik Brown put RIT in front 25 seconds into the second. Brown intercepted a pass in the Tigers offensive zone and his initial shot was stopped, but the rebound bounced in the net off a Union defenseman.
Foo’s tied the game with a power-play goal at 14:37, working a give-and-go with Supinski before beating RIT goalie Mike Rotolo from the bottom of the right circle. Vecchione gave Union the lead 4:13 later, jamming home a loose puck on a goalmouth scramble.
RIT struck quickly again in the third, tying the game at 3-3 when Caleb Cameron converted on his own rebound.
Vidmar netted what proved to be the game winner at 7:39 of the third, redirecting J.C. Brassard’s point shot over Rotolo’s shoulder to extend his point streak to three games.
Union put the game out of reach with two empty net goals by Vecchione at 19:16 and Lichtenwald at 19:46.
The Dutchmen outshot the Tigers 34-18 and went 3-for-9 on the power play, tallying three power-play goals for the first time since a 7-0 win at Cornell on March 7, 2015.
Union hosts Niagara at 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22.
