Union started off as slow as can be.
Maybe it was not time to panic, but concern could be genuine.
But now, make no mistake, the Dutchmen feel a lot better about this early part of the season after a trip to unseasonably warm Western New York. As a matter of fact, Union probably wants to come back here soon after beating Niagara 5-1 Saturday for its second victory in a row.
But this victory was its second consecutive in impressive fashion.
Union outscored its two vanquished foes this weekend by a combined 11-1.
“You are never going to apologize for getting two wins on the weekend, ” said Union head coach Rick Bennet. “Especially when you are on the road, playing two teams that I thought gave us everything we wanted. Scores aside, those were two good teams we played this weekend, and they are only going to get better.”
Niagara, which defeated RPI on Friday evening in heart stopping fashion with 0.2 seconds left – never got in gear – recording few quality scoring chances in falling to 2-2-0.
“To be honest, I thought we got better tonight,” said Niagara coach Jason Lammers. “We got reminded about the importance of staying humble. We got reminded about the work it takes to win, and you just don’t hope it. We also got reminded in various areas of our game, how hard you need to compete to have success.
“It was a disappointing result, but we are better tonight because of this than we were at the start of the year.”
Do not be fooled by the shots on goal, which were relatively even. Union, which outshot Niagara 28-24, had several more quality scoring opportunities than the Purple Eagles.
Jack Adams set the tone for the night just 36 seconds into the game when he cruised through the slot and tipped Joseph Campolieto’s shot softly over Niagara goaltender Guillaume Therien’s shoulder, the puck floating and fluttering before landing in the net for a 1-0 Dutchmen lead.
The only reasonably exciting juncture of the game was brief, and came at the end of the second period. But even at this stage, the issue was settled.
Trailing 3-0, Niagara got back in the game when Johnny Curran banged in a rebound on the power play to make it 3-1 with 1:03 left. But that momentum did not last very long – Greg Campbell scored just 30 seconds later to put Union in steady command again at 4-1.
Ryan Scarfo had two goals for Union while Brendan Taylor also scored. Scarfo gave Union a 2-0 lead midway through the second period when he banged in a rebound. Taylor scored just under four minutes laterand that was basically it.
After the game, Bennet acknowledged the quick start helped, but what transpired after was also paramount.
“I think the way the response after the goal, our transition to defense,” Bennet said. “We limited chances, which was crucial. It can be deflating, but sometimes it rallies the other team. It was a point of emphasis from our leaders to keep the momentum.”
Atlantic Hockey roundup
Holy Cross 5, Bentley 0
TJ Moore and Scott Pooley each scored twice in the first period as the Crusaders raced out to an early lead en route to a convincing victory.
Andrew Dumaresque also scored for Holy Cross while Paul Berrafato made 27 saves.
Army 3 Robert Morris 1
Alex Wilkinson and Dominic Franco scored goals 1:30 apart late in the third period to give the Black Knights a road victory.
With the score tied at one and overtime lurking, Wilkinson scored the winner at 18:20 before Franco iced it with an empty net goal.
Michael Wilson gave Army a 1-0 lead in the first period before RMU’s Luke Lynch tied it in the second.
Air Force 5 Bemidji State 1
Jordan Himley had two goals as the Falcons won handily. Matt Serratore, Tyler Ledford and Matt Koch also scored for Air Force, which scored its five goals on only 26 shots.
Colgate 3 Canisius 3 (OT)
Matt Hoover scored with just one minute left in the third period to give the Golden Griffins a tie.
Earlier in the third period, Canisius trailed 3-1 but Dylan McLaughlin scored on the power play just 34 seconds into the period to start the comeback.
Mercyhurst 4, Ferris State 1
Matthew Whittaker scored twice in the third period as the Lakers pulled away from the Bulldogs.
After Derek Barach gave Mercyhurst a 2-1 lead with the eventual game winner early in the third, Whittaker scored goals just under eight minutes apart. Mercyhurst scored on four of its seven power play attempts.
RPI 8, RIT 3
Viktor Liljegren and Troy York each scored twice as the Engineers pounded the Tigers. The game was tied 2-2 midway through the first when Liljegren and York made it 4-2.
Abbott Girduckis scored twice for RIT.
