Box Score

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Union freshman Kelly Zajac snapped a wrist shot from the right circle and scored at 3:19 of overtime to give the Dutchmen a 2-1 win over Rensselaer in an ECAC Hockey game at Messa Rink. Union improves to 14-12-2 overall and 7-8-1 in the league. RPI is now 6-20-2 and 5-10-1.

Zajac (Winnipeg, MB/Salmon Arm Silverbacks) got the game-winner by carrying the puck down the right side of the ice, cutting into the middle and shooting while a teammate drove the crease.  The goal was his fifth of the season and second game-winning marker.

The first period was scoreless but not without plenty of action, including a penalty shot. Union's leading scorer, sophomore Adam Presizniuk (Calgary, AB/Pembroke Lumber Kings), was dragged down and awarded a penalty shot at 5:57. The Dutchmen's leading scorer skated in tight to the net and tried a backhanded shot over Rensselaer freshman Allen York (Wetaskiwin, AB/Camrose Kodiaks) but the netminder caught the puck in his glove to keep the game scoreless.

Defenseman Mike Wakita (Kitimat, BC/Powell River Kings) put the home team in front at 4:30 of the second period when he scored on a slap shot from the right point. Defense partner Mike Schreiber (Sherwood Park, AB/Ft. McMurray Oil Barons) earned the primary assist and Mario Valery-Trabucco (Montreal, PQ/Northwood School) the secondary.

RPI tied the game on a shot by sophomore Chase Polacek (Edina, MN/Academy of Holy Angels), who took a pass from classmate Tyler Helfrich (Calgary, AB/Prince George Spruce Kings) and scored his eighth goal of the year at 3:21 of the third period. Freshman Patrick Cullen (Washington, DC/Indiana Ice) also earned an assist on the goal. The game remained tied through regulation, though both teams had opportunities on the power play. RPI finished 0 for 6 with the extra man, including 0 for 1 in the third, while Union was also 0 for 6 overall. The Dutchmen were 0 for 4 in the third period.

Union netminder Corey Milan (Great Barrington, MA/Penticton Vees), who posted 31 saves in a shutout on Friday night, stopped 14 shots in the win. York stopped 20 shots in defeat.

RPI returns to the ice on Friday night against Brown at the Houston Field House (7pm). Union hosts Yale next Friday at 7pm.