For the second time this season Union thoroughly dominated the Big Red, winning this contest 4-0 in front of a sellout crowd of 2,226. Even more impressive than the 4-0 shutout was Union’s advantage in shots. At the end of the game, Union had 36 shots on net and held Cornell to only nine shots on net, a new school record for the Dutchmen.
“We were getting in the shot lanes pretty well in our [defensive]-zone,” said Union forward Kevin Sullivan. “Kind of sticking on their [defense] pretty well and our centers and our [defensemen] did a great job of staying with their forwards.”
“I don’t think I’ve seen that since I’ve been here and it is uncharacteristic of our team. The credit goes to Union. When they are in our aend a lot it is tough for us to get shots,” said Cornell goalie Mike Garman.
Early in the first period, Union, the nation’s top power-play unit, continued its strong play, opening up the first period with a power play goal. The goal was Union’s first shot of the evening and scored by Daniel Carr, improving his team-leading power play goal number to eleven.
The goal was scored after Jeremy Welsh fished the puck out of the right corner and centered a pass to Carr who lifted a shot into the left corner of the net.
“Josh just made a really good pass right on my tape. I didn’t really have to do much. Josh and Welsh are just so strong down low, especially on the power play it makes it easy for me to just kind of float up high and usually they put it right on my tape,” said Carr of the goal.
Four minutes later Union improved its lead to two.
With the Big Red attempting to clear the puck out of their zone, Union forward Kelly Zajac caused a turnover and found Adam Presizniuk in front of the net. Presizniuk rifled in a shot between Garman’s legs, but he was able to get his pads on it. Unfortunately for Garman the puck slipped past him and Matt Hatch found it and pushed it in for the goal.
Union added two more goals in the third period to finish the game with a 4-0 win.
Less than two minutes into the period the Dutchmen tallied their third goal of the game. Kevin Sullivan got the goal with the assist going to Wayne Simpson. Simpson had the puck in the left zone and shot at the net. The puck bounced off Garman’s pads and Sullivan frantically tried to push it in.
Union’s second goal of the period came on a 4-4. After winning the faceoff Cornell Head Coach Mike Shafer pulled his goalie. Union took advantage of the open net and scored less than fifteen seconds into the power play. Hatch scored the goal for Union, the second of the night for the freshman.
All of Union’s goals were scored by its freshmen.
“I think it says we have really good leadership,” said Carr. “All the older guys teaching us what it takes at this level is huge for us. Those guys really help us out, out there. There is a pretty big adjustment coming to college hockey.”
With the win and Yale’s loss Union moves into first place in the ECAC with five games left to play.
“No question,” added Shafer. “They are the best team we played this year. I am obviously disappointed with the way we played, but I saw it coming through the course of our week. They delivered the knockout punch early and often.”
Tomorrow afternoon Cornell faces off against RPI while Union hosts Colgate at night.
