Vecchione, Supinski propel Union to 4-1 against Princeton in ECACH Quarterfinal opener

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.–Senior forward Mike Vecchione and sophomore forward Brett Supinski each notched three points to lead the No. 6/7 Union College men’s hockey team to a 4-1 win against Princeton in game one of the best-of-three ECAC Hockey Quarterfinal series, Friday night at Messa Rink. The Dutchmen, who are unbeaten in their last six games (5-0-1) improve to 24-8-3, while the Tigers go to 15-15-3.

Vecchione extended his point streak to nine games (9G-8A), producing his Division I-leading 21st multi-point game of the season with two goals and an assist. Supinski produced his second consecutive three-point game with three helpers, extending his point streak to seven games (3G-7A) and Foo pushed his point streak to six (6G-5A) with a goal. Cole Maier rounded out the scoring for Union. Senior goaltender Alex Sakellaropoulos was nearly perfect, making 30 saves on 31 shots and stopping all 24 shots he faced over the final two periods.

Vecchione put Union ahead at 6:11 of the first with his 27th of the season. Supinski stripped the puck away from a Princeton defenseman in the Tigers zone before dropping a pass to Vecchione, who ripped a one-timer past Colton Phinney (34 saves).

Ryan Siiro answered for Princeton 5:33 later, collecting the puck off a faceoff and firing home a wrist shot from the right circle.

Union pulled back in front 1:40 into the second when Maier scored his first in six games. Maier’s attempted centering pass to Foo was blocked by the skate of a Princeton defenseman, but he picked up the rebound and tucked a low shot inside the near post for his 13th of the year.

The Tigers nearly took advantage of a power play midway through the frame, but Sakellaropoulos made a sprawling save, kicking out right pad to deny Max Verroneau’s rebound opportunity and preserve the one-goal lead.

Spencer Foo doubled Union’s advantage with a power-play goal at 3:21 of the third, blasting a one-timer from the right circle on a feed from Supinski. The goal was Foo’s 10th power-play tally and his 23rd goal of the season.

Vecchione sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 19:39, setting a program single-season goals record in the process (28).

Union outshot Princeton 38-31 and finished 1-for-3 with the man advantage. The Tigers were 0-for-4 on the power play.

The teams return to the ice tomorrow night (March 11) for game two of the series. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.