Union's Power Play Helps Earn Tie at Brown

PROVIDENCE, RI -- The 18th-ranked Union College men's ice hockey team used its special teams to help earn one ECAC Hockey point with a 2-2 tie at Brown on Saturday night at Meehan Auditorium. Union moves to 13-7-4 overall and 7-3-4 within ECAC Hockey play (tied for second), while Brown goes to 7-12-2 and 5-7-2 in conference action.

Two first-period, man-up goals established an early 2-0 lead and put the Union power-play back on track after going without a PP goal in its last two outings. Union entered the weekend with the 10th-ranked power-play unit in the country with a 21.1 conversion percentage.

Senior Mike Schreiber netted Union's first goal and his sixth of the season thanks to a dish from junior Adam Presizniuk at 6:23. Sophomore Kelly Zajac was credited with the second assist, giving him 15 points on the year. The assist for Presizniuk was his 21st point of the season and 84th of his career, moving him into 10th all-time on Union's points list.

The Dutchmen established its two-goal lead thanks to a snipe by freshman Greg Coburn from the top of the left face-off circle at 16:51. The play started when junior John Simpson's shot from the right point sailed wide. Junior Stephane Boileau grabbed the loose puck behind the net and found Coburn at the left point. The goal was the second of Coburn's career, while Boileau and Simpson earned their 15th and 16th points of the season, respectively.

Despite going 0-for-3 on the power-play in the second period, Brown still took advantage of two Union penalties. Sophomore Jack MacLellan made it 2-1 at 4:15 just after a Dutchmen returned from serving 2-0.

The Bears than tied the game, 2-2, on a delayed penalty call. Junior Tyler Fernandez grabbed a rebound off the end boards and stuffed it in for his first career goal.

Union had a chance to win it with 1:54 remaining in overtime with a power-play opportunity, but Brown denied Union's chances, including Zajac being robbed in front on a one-timer with 32 ticks remaining.

Freshman goaltender Keith Kinkaid turned away 32 shots in his second consecutive start -- he is now 7-4-3 on the year and 6-2-3 in conference action. For Brown sophomore Michael Clemente made 31 saves to go to 7-8-2 and 5-4-2.

The game was Union's 11th overtime game of the season which is the most OT contests in program history.

The Dutchmen return to Messa Rink for a pair of contests against their North Country foes. Clarkson arrives on Friday, Feb. 5 for a 7 p.m. contests that will be televised nationally on the NHL network. St. Lawrence follows on Saturday, Feb. 6 also at 7 p.m. Tickets for both outings can be purchased at UnionAthleticsTickets.com