The last time Union raised a banner at Messa Rink, things didn’t end so well for the Dutchmen. Union lost 4-1 to Merrimack on opening night two seasons ago.
It was a little better this time around, as the Dutchmen raised banners for the ECAC regular season title, postseason title, Frozen Four appearance, and national championship victory, and then overcame a slow start to beat American International College 7-3 Friday night.
The Dutchmen ripped 50 shots on goal, something even last year’s team never accomplished. Union was without forwards Max Novak, Nick Cruice, and Matt Wilkins, each whom was suspended for an unspecified violation of team rules. Seven different players scored the Union against the Yellow Jackets, while the Dutchmen used two shorthanded goals Saturday to beat New Hampshire 3-1. Dating to last year, Union has won 18 games in a row as well as 14 straight at home.
It’s only one weekend, but the Dutchmen showed they have the ability to score in a number of different situations.
Golden Knights stingy
Clarkson head coach Casey Jones was excited about his defense entering this season, but admitted that his team would need players to step up to replace the offense the Golden Knights lost through graduation.
It was a positive in both of those areas this weekend for Clarkson, a six different players scored a goal while the Golden Knights gave up one goal to Niagara and RIT to start out 2-0 for the second straight season. Goalie Steve Perry only saw 32 combined shots in both games.
Clarkson plays Vermont in a home-and-home series this weekend, two games that should feature plenty of bumps and bruises on both sides.
Western trips productive for Colgate and Rensselaer
Offense might be hard to come by for RPI this season, but if goalie Jason Kasdorf plays like he did this weekend, the Engineers should be in a lot of games. Kasdorf stopped 31-of-33 shots Friday as RPI beat No. 12 Notre Dame in the second game of the Ice Breaker tournament before making 31 saves Sunday as the Engineers lost 3-0 to No.1 Minnesota. Two of the Gophers’ goals came on deflections from in front of the net.
Meanwhile, No. 6 Colgate split a series at No. 7 St. Cloud State, with each team taking a 3-1 win. Raiders goalie Charlie Finn stopped 55-of-59 shots on the weekend. Forward Tylor Spink, who was second on last year’s team in scoring, didn’t play in either game.
