AMHERST, MA — Freshman forward Sebastian Vidmar scored with nine seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Union College men’s hockey team to a 4-3 win against the University of Massachusetts on Friday night at the Mullins Center. The Dutchmen, who extended their unbeaten streak to four, improve to 6-6-4, while the Minutmen go to 6-8-4.
After Mike Vecchione won a draw outside the Massachusetts zone with 13 seconds remaining in the extra frame, Vidmar collected the loose puck and drove to the net, jamming home a backhand to seal the 4-3 victory.
Vecchione also tallied in the win, Ryan Scarfo registered his second multi-point game in the last three contests and Spencer Foo potted a goal for the third consecutive game. In goal, Alex Sakellaropoulos made 22 saves on 25 shots, including 11 in the second period, for his fifth win of the season.
Ray Pigozzi led Massachusetts with two goals and Shane Walsh scored his team-leading 12th goal of the season. In goal, Nic Renyard stopped 32 of 36 shots, including 14 in the third period.
Massachusetts pushed in front 49 seconds into play, as Ben Gallacher sprung Pigozzi on a breakaway and he slid a shot inside the right post for his sixth of the season. The goal marked the second time in three games that the Dutchmen allowed a goal in the opening minute.
Union bounced back late in the first, tying the game 1-1 at 14:23. With the teams playing four-on-four, Foo took a feed from Scarfo and broke in on goal before roofing a shot glove side.
Scarfo put the Dutchmen in front at 18:08 with his team-leading ninth of the season, converting on a one-timer after a perfectly worked tic-tac-toe passing play with Brett Supinski and Matt Wilkins.
Union came out quickly in the second period and Foo nearly had his second of the game at 4:27. Vidmar intercepted a pass at his own blue line and chipped the puck to Foo, but Renyard denied his five-hole attempt on the break.
Sakelleropolous came up with a big blocker seconds later, turning away Dennis Kravchenko’s wrist shot on a Umass two-on-one.
Vecchione gave the Dutchmen a little breathing room at 15:26, collecting his own rebound and beating Renyard high on the blocker side for his second goal in as many games.
Massachusetts battled back in the third, tying the game with two goals in the opening 8:01 of the frame. Pigozzi cut the Minutmen’s deficit in half with a one-timer from the slot at 5:12 and Walsh knotted things up at 3-3, tucking a shot high on the glove side from the right circle at 8:01.
The Dutchmen were whistled for a major penalty with 4:11 left in the third, but they managed to keep the Minutemen off the score sheet, finishing the game a perfect five-for-five on the penalty kill.
With time winding down in overtime, Vecchione crashed into the Massachusetts net, causing a face off outside of the Minutemen’s zone. Vecchione won the ensuing draw, setting up Vidmar’s heroics.
Union, which recorded its first overtime win since a 3-2 win against Notre Dame on Nov. 28, 2014, closes out 2015 at home against Vermont at 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 20.
GAME NOTES
– The win was Union’s first victory on a Friday this season. The Dutchmen were 0-4-4 in their previous eight Friday games…It was also the first time this season the Dutchmen won when their opponent scored first (0-3-1 in the previous seven)…Friday night’s game marked the seventh meeting between the two teams in Union’s Division I era…The Dutchmen’s last win against UMass came Nov. 25, 2006.
– Union is 4-1-1 against Hockey East opponents this season and 15-2-2 in its last 19 against Hockey East foes.
