SCHENECTADY, N.Y.- The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's hockey team suffered a 4-3 setback against ECAC rival Union tonight in Messa Rink. Trailing 3-2, the Garnet Chargers scored twice in the final minutes of the third period to flip a late Engineer advantage into a comeback victory for the hosts.

Facing a one-goal deficit with five minutes remaining, Josh Nixon and Ben Muthersbaugh each netted scores within 100 seconds of each other to help the Garnet Chargers complete the weekend sweep.

Prior to the late sprint from Union, the Engineers had established their first lead of the night thanks to Max Smolinski. Smolinski used assists from Tyler Hotson and Jake Gagnon to break open a 2-2 deadlock with 10 minutes remaining.

Smolinski's one-timer followed a strike from Elliott McDermott, who pumped home a game-tying score earlier in the third. The McDermott goal was the first dent in the scoreboard from either side in nearly 40 minutes of the play.

The first period started with a flurry, as the two squads combined for three goals in the first 5:35 of play before the long stretch of neutral action.

Rainers Rullers provided the Engineers their first period score, marking the third straight game the freshman has found the back of the net. 

Gagnon finished with a career-high three assists. John Beaton and Felix Caron had one helper apiece as well for RPI.

Looking ahead, the Engineers will travel to Ohio for a pair of contests at Miami University on Friday and Saturday.