The frustration is mounting for Union because its shots aren’t getting back
opposing goalies.
The Dutchmen set a team record for scoring futility Friday in their 2-0 ECACHL loss to Clarkson at Cheel Arena.
They haven’t scored a goal in 163 minutes, 12 seconds. That broke the overall team record of 155:53, set during the 1992-93 season, Union’s second year in Division I.
At least that team had an excuse for its scoring drought. There wasn’t any talent on that club, which went 3-22 and scored only 53 goals, second fewest in the team’s Division I history.
Talent isn’t an issue with this season’s team. The Dutchmen have scored 59 goals, and have four players with over 15 points.
Union’s last goal came with four seconds left in the first period against last Friday against Cornell. The Dutchmen were shut out for the second straight game, and fifth time this season.
“We’ve got to continue to work hard, and earn our goals,” Union captain Jordan Webb said. “We know they’ll come. We’ve got a talented team. If we work hard, we’re one of the most talented teams in the league.”
Union (10-3-1, 7-6-0 ECAC) started strong in conference play, scoring 29 goals in winning its first six ECACHL games. Since then, the Dutchmen have gone 1-6, and scored just three goals.
The Dutchmen outshot the Golden Knights, 36-22. But Clarkson goalie Dustin Traylen stymied Union to earn his first shutout of the season.
“I thought we had opportunities every which way we could want them,” Union coach Nate Leaman said. “I thought Traylen played a great game. He made a lot of saves for them tonight.”
Clarkson coach George Roll agreed.
“In the first period, we stressed to our guys not to give them any odd-man rushes, and we gave them three in the first,” Roll said. “Dustin came up with some big saves. The `D’ played very good in front of him. But when he was needed, he was certainly there.”
The power play has been another source of frustration. It went 0-for-9 against Clarkson (7-14-2, 3-7-1). The Dutchmen have only one power-play goal in their last 43 chances in league play. Making matters worse was that Clarkson’s first goal was scored on the power play by Steve Zalewski 1:42 into the second period. The Knights got the power play when Union defenseman Michael Beynon got a penalty for foolishly shooting the puck at Traylen after buzzer sounded to end the first period.
“I was so into the play,” Beynon said. “I was frustrated.” Union goalie Justin Mrazek was pulled for an extra attacker twice in the final 1:54, but Zalewski clinched the win by scoring an empty-net goal with eight seconds left.
“We’ve got to be better [tonight against St. Lawrence],” Leaman said. “I know we can play better. I think our guys know we can play better. We’re just looking forward to [tonight].”
Players suspended
One Clarkson player was dismissed from the team, and four others were suspended for the weekend because of a violation of team rules.
According to sources, junior forward John Sullivan is the player who was kicked off the team. The suspended players are freshmen forwards David Cayer, Ryan Hodkinson and Matt Isbister, and senior defenseman Ken Scuderi.
“It was a second violation for one of the student-athletes, and the other guys, it was their first,” Roll said. “I’m not going to go into specifics, but we have rules and you have to abide by those rules.”
The Knights dressed 17 skaters, one under the limit. Forward Jeff Genovy was suspended for the game because of game disqualification he picked up for fighting last Saturday against St. Lawrence.
Ken Schott covers college hockey for The Daily Gazette in Schenectady, N.Y.
