SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – On a night in which the national championship banner was raised to the rafters, Union used a strong third period to dispose of upset-minded American International,7-3, in non-conference action at Messa Rink. ,Prior to the game, Union unveiled championship banners for the Cleary Cup, Whitelaw Cup, Frozen Four appearance and NCAA Championship before a sold out crowd of 2,254, which included perhaps the largest gathering ever of Union Hockey alumni.
The Yellow Jackets struck 3:30 into the opening period on a goal from Johno May. ,Team captain Charlie Vasaturoresponded with Union’s first goal of the season, but it was AIC which held a 2-1 advantage late in the second period before Union found it’s scoring touch.
Sophomores Eli Lichtenwald and Noah Henry scored one minute, 33 seconds apart in the second period to give the Dutch a 3-2 lead heading into the third. Union’s second-year class provided more quick scoring in the third, as Jeff Taylor and Mike Vecchione both found the back of the net in the first five minutes to give the Dutchmen a 5-2 lead.
AIC closed the gap with Austin Orszulak’s power play tally at 5:14, before Union sealed the win behind tallies from Sam Coatta and freshman Spencer Foo.,
Rick Bennett’s squad finished with 50 shots on goal, an achievement that was even out of reach of last year’s championship team.
