Box Score / Watch

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. - The Union College men's hockey team scored three second period goals to overcome an early deficit and the #10 Dutchmen defeated Rensselaer, 5-2, in a non-league game at 1980 Rink Herb Brooks Arena. Jeremy Welsh had a goal and an assist for Union, which improves to 8-3-5. RPI falls to 3-13-0.

The Engineers opened the scoring when CJ Lee deflected a Jacob Laliberte shot past Dutchmen goaltender Troy Grosenick. Brock Higgs, who dug the puck out of the corner and found Laliberte near the blue line, was credited with the secondary assist. The Dutchmen tied the score at 15:03 of the first period when Matt Hatch scored on a backhanded shot, finishing a breakaway with a goal. RPI actually had an outstanding chance to go ahead by two goals immediately before Hatch's goal but it was unable to jam in a loose puck in the crease.

Welsh put Union in front for the first time in the game with an outstanding individual effort at 4:08 of the second period, but RPI freshman Mark McGowan scored on a rebound about two-and-a-half minutes later with a rebound goal. For McGowan, who cleaned up a Mark Tinordi shot, the goal was the first of his career.

The Dutchmen then took advantage of three straight penalties by the Engineers, converting on an extended 5x3 with Wayne Simpson lifting a shot from close range over RPI netminder Bryce Merriam. Union then scored soon after all the penalties expired, this one on a deflection from Max Novak at 18:29.

Daniel Carr notched an unassisted goal midway through the third period for the final margin.

Troy Grosenick (7-2-2) made 23 saves to earne the victory for Union, while Merriam (2-10-0) finished with 27 stops, including 13 in the second period alone.