CRANBERRY TWP., Pa. — The No. 14 Union College Dutchmen opened up the 7th Annual Three Rivers Classic at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex on Friday evening in style, upsetting the No. 1 St. Cloud State 7-2.
Liam Morgan placed a pass from behind the net and Ryan Walker fired a shot that picked the top corner to give Union a 1-0 lead at 15:36 of the first. Brandon Estes gave the Dutchmen a 2-0 lead as the defenseman threw an innocent shot from the point that snuck through Huskies starter David Hrenak’s pads.
St. Cloud State threw additional pressure on the Dutchmen in the second, but a great save on a one-timer by Union starter Darion Hanson lead to an odd-man rush that Blackhawks prospect Parker Foo deposited under Hrenak’s pads to extend the lead to three.
The first penalty of the day lead to an opportunity for St. Cloud State to get their first goal, and Kevin Fitzgerald capitalized on the power-play, beating Hanson on a rebound to make it 3-1. Sebastian Vidmar found his way to the left circle a minute later and fired a shot that beat the Huskies starter, regaining the 3-goal lead for Union.
Estes added a cushion for the Dutchmen in the third on a broken play just 30 seconds in, and Brett Supinski later to extended the lead to five.
Fitzgerald took advantage of a mass of confusion in front of the Union net and snuck a puck into the cage at 2:48, but Union fought back as Walker batted a puck out of mid-air to give the Dutchmen a 7-2 lead. STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Cole Maier led all skaters with four assists, while Liam Morgan ended with three helpers. Estes, Walker and Fitzgerald each collected two goals. Hanson stopped 33-of-35 shots in the win for Union.
UP NEXT
Union moves on to the Finals of the Three Rivers Classic at 8:00 p.m. Saturday at PPG Paints Arena. The Dutchmen await the winner of Robert Morris/Brown. The loser of that game plays St. Cloud State at 5:00 p.m. at PPG Paints Arena.
