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ALBANY, N.Y. - Union College scored six times in the third period and the Dutchmen came-from-behind to defeat Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 8-3, in the non-league Mayor's Cup, in front of 8,714 fans at the Times Union Center. The Dutchmen snap a three-game losing streak to improve to 12-10-2. The Engineers see their three-game winning streak end and fall to 9-17-1.

RPI opened the scoring when freshman Drew Melanson picked up a loose puck in tight on Union's Colin Stevens, but still managed to lift it over the senior netminder for his fifth goal of the season. Riley Bourbonnais, who had a hat trick against the Dutchmen on October 31, had the primary assist, while defenseman Chris Bradley earned the secondary. The goal came at the 2:07 mark. Union needed only 27 seconds to tie the score when senior Daniel Ciampini slid the puck past RPI goalie Jason Kasdorf. For Ciampini, one of the top goal scorers in the country, the goal was his 18th of the season and first of three in the game. He also had two assists. Linemates Mike Vecchione and Matt Wilkin had the assists. They finished with four points apiece.

Rensselaer seniors Matt Neal and Jacob Laliberte teamed up to give the Engineers the lead back at 16:13 of the first frame. Laliberte collected a pass from Milos Bubela and skated into the offensive zone on the right side. He pulled up and hit Neal as he was striding down the left side. Neal snapped a shot over Stevens for his fourth of the season and fourth in the last four games. He now has seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) in the month of January. Laliberte has eight points (2 goals, 6 assists) in his last five contests.

RPI built a 3-1 lead at 13:04 of the second period on Melanson's second goal of the night and sixth of the season. Defenseman Luke Curadi's point shot caromed off the boards behind the goal and directly to an uncovered Melanson, who slid the puck into the net. Union pulled to within one before the period ended. Freshman Nick DeSimone scored his first career goal on a point shot with his team on the power play. JC Brassard and Wilkins had the assists on the goal, which came at 17:14. The Dutchmen finished the period with a 20-10 edge in shots, including 12-5 in the period.

Union came out of the locker room and tied the game in the first 17 seconds when Ryan Scarfo snapped a shot into the back of the net. The Dutchmen took their first lead just 3:13 later when Ciampini notched his second of the night past a screened Kasdorf. Jeff Taylor had assists on both goals. Vecchione then made it 5-3 for Union when he knocked the puck out of midair and over Kasdorf at 6:58 of the third period. Wilkins picked up his third assist of the night on the play. 

Eli Lichtenwald scored his third of the season at 9:58 on a shot that was originally called a save, but after video review it was changed and Union led, 6-3. Vecchione added his second of the night off assists from Wilkins and Ciampini at 10:43 and Ciampini finished his hat trick at 15:09. Vecchione and Wilkin had the helpers.

Kasdorf finished with 19 saves, while Scott Diebold had four in relief. Stevens had 10 saves.

Rensselaer returns to action on Friday night when it plays Dartmouth in an ECAC Hockey contest (7pm). The Dutchmen travel to nationally-ranked Harvard on Friday and Dartmouth on Saturday. Both of their games begin at 7pm.