The Union Skating Dutchmen earned a weekend sweep by defeating the Dartmouth Big Green tonight in front of 1,739 at Achilles Rink.
Tonight’s victory allowed the Dutchmen to avenge last weekend 6-4 loss to Dartmouth as well as to surpass last years win total of eight.
Union opened up the scoring when senior Jason Ralph went top shelf to beat Dartmouth goalie Nick Boucher with his 10th goal of the season at 4:50 of the opening period. Sophomores Randy Dagenais and Kris Goodjohn assisted on the goal. That was the only scoring in the period as the Big Green held a 12-5 edge in shots.
The Skating Dutchmen went up 2-0 when sophomore Jordy Federko lit the lamp with his second goal of the season at 4:19 of the second period.
The Big Green struck back with two goals in 1:32 to tie the game at 2-2 going into the final period. Freshman Mike Turner put Dartmouth on the board with his first collegiate goal at 16:37 of the second period with assists from senior Peter Mahler and junior Dan Casella.
Sophomore defenseman Trevor Byrne knotted the game at 2-2 with his fifth goal of the season at 18:09 of the second period. Junior Mike Maturo and sophomore Kent Gillings assisted on the score. Dartmouth out shot Union 20-10 through the first 40 minutes of play.
Union broke the 2-2 tie when Jeff Hutchins tallied his eighth goal of the season just 1:39 into the final period to put the Dutchmen ahead by a score of 3-2.
Dartmouth tied it back up at 3-3 when junior Frank Nardella beat Snee with his second goal of the season at 13:41 of the third period.
Sophomore Nathan Gillies scored the eventual game-winner when he scored his fourth goal of the season to put the Dutchmen ahead 4-3. Gillies received the pass from junior Charles Simard right in front of the net to beat Boucher at 16:30 of the final period.
Dartmouth pulled goalie Nick Boucher with 2:25 remaining but the Dutchmen were able to withstand the barrage and hold on for the 4-3 victory.
Union goalie Brandon Snee had 28 saves in the victory, while Dartmouth goalie Nick Boucher had 12 saves in the loss.
The victory moves Union to 9-12-3 overall (5-8-1 ECAC). Dartmouth falls to 9-10-2 overall (6-6-2 ECAC).
