SCHENECTADY, N.Y.—The Union College men’s ice hockey team recorded its second shutout in three games in a 3-0 win over Dartmouth on Saturday night at Messa Rink. The Dutchmen improve to 5-6-4 overall and 2-5-1 in ECAC Hockey, while the Big Green go to 3-6-1 overall and 3-5-0 in conference play.
Union junior goaltender Alex Sakellaropoulos made 34 saves, including 15 in the third period, for his second shutout of the season and the third of his career. Mike Vecchione produced a goal and an assist, Matt Wilkins had a pair of helpers and Spencer Foo notched his fifth point in two games with a goal.
The Dutchmen jumped on Dartmouth early, taking a 1-0 lead at 3:48 of the first on Brett Supinki’s second of the season. Supinski worked a give-and-go with Nick DeSimone in the neutral zone before driving to the net and unleashing a wrist shot blocker side.
It took just 3:56 for Union to double its lead on Foo’s sixth of the year. After the Dutchmen’s forecheck kept the puck in the offensive zone, Sebastian Vidmar found Foo with a backdoor pass for the one-time finish.
Dartmouth had two power play opportunities in the second period, but Sakellaropoulos and the Union penalty kill managed to keep the Big Green off the board heading into the final stanza.
Dartmouth had an odd-man with just under five minutes remaining in the third period, but Noah Henry made a sliding play to break up the attack.
The Big Green continued to get pucks to the net with time winding down, but the Dutchmen sealed the win with a Vecchione empty net goal at 19:21.
Union closes out 2015 at home against Vermont Sunday, Dec. 20 at 4 p.m.
Notes
Nick DeSimone extended his point streak to five games in the win. He has one goal and five assists in that span.
Brett Supinski has two goals in his last three games.
Union’s power play is 44-of-50 on the season (88.0%).
The shutout was Union’s first against at Messa Rink since a 2-0 win over Maine on Oct. 17, 2015. The Dutchmen’s three shutouts on the season already surpasses their total from last year.
Union finished with 14 blocked shots on the game.
