Boxscore

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Last weekend, it was senior Raymond Sawada that lifted the Big Red on his back and carried them to an ECAC Hockey First-Round series win over Dartmouth. In game one of the quarterfinals at Messa Rink in Schenectady, it was classmate Chris Fontas who rose to the occasion, scoring a pair of goals as the Big Red took a 3-2 victory over Union on Friday night.

The win, Cornell's first in the three games against Union this season, lifts the Big Red to a 1-0 advantage in the league quarterfinal series. Fontas led the Big Red with his two goals, while Brendon Nash added the game-winning goal and an assist. Sophomore netminder Ben Scrivens picked up 24 saves in the victory for the Big Red.

Looking to carry the momentum from last weekend's first-round win over Dartmouth, the Big Red jumped out in front early, thanks in part to a fortunate bounce off one of the linesmen. Joe Scali collected the puck following the riccochet and fired a shot that was blocked, but Fontas was there to get the loose puck and fire a shot past Union goaltender Justin Mrazek just one minute into the contest.

Union would tie the game late in the third period, as Union's Mike Wakita fired a wrist shot from the point that was stopped by Scrivens. The rebound came off to a wide-open Torren Delforte, who roofed the puck into the back of the net to knot the game at one with just under four minutes to play before the first intermission. Still, the Big Red was able to kill off all three of the penalties assessed against Cornell in the first period to keep the score tied.

Fontas gave the Big Red a 2-1 lead midway through the second period, winning a faceoff in the Union zone and one-timing a shot past Mrazek right off the draw for the unassisted goal.

Early in the third period, Union's Jason Walters laid a hit on Fontas from behind, earning the Dutchman a five-minute major and game misconduct for the play. Union would kill off the ensuing five-minute power play for the Big Red, but the penalty served to erase one-quarter of the third period.

Union would tie the game at two at the 11:32 mark of the third period, but the Big Red would respond just under three minutes later. On a power play following a penalty on Union's Josh Coyle, Brendon Nash ripped a shot that beat Mrazek just under the crossbar to put Cornell back on top, where they would remain for the final five and a half minutes until the final horn.

Cornell held Union scoreless on the power play for the night, while adding in Nash's power play tally on their own end. Mrazek made 24 saves in taking the loss for Union.

Cornell will try for the sweep on Saturday, taking on the Dutchmen in another 7 p.m. contest at Messa Rink in Schenectady.