Union Loses In NCAA Tourney

Union College's first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament didn't last long.

The 2nd seeded Dutchmen lost to #3 seed Minnesota-Duluth, 2-0, in the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey East Regional Semifinals in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Kyle Schmidt scored a first period goal and Justin Fontaine added third period insurance to lift the Bulldogs to the regional final game.

The Dutchmen finish their best season in school history with a record of 26-10-4.

Minnesota Duluth goalie Kenny Reiter had his third shutout of the season and sixth career, making 28 saves.   The Dutchmen, who have the nation's best power play (31%), went 0 for 9 on the extra-man advantage during the game.

Union had an 11-0 shot advantage until Duluth's first shot nearly nine minutes into the first.   The Bulldogs snapped the scoreless tie at 14:38 of the 1st period as Kyle Schmidt netted his ninth of the season when, from in close, he tipped in a Mike Montgomery drive from the left point. It was Duluth's fourth shot of the period.

After a scoreless 2nd, Union found themselves down 1-0 but held a 21-12 shot advantage.

With about 7:00 gone in the 3rd period, Minnesota-Duluth got a power play goal by Justin Fontaine on their 6th extra man chance of the game.  That was too much of a deficit for Nate Leaman's club to overcome.

Union sophomore goalie Keith Kincaid made 29 saves while Reiter stopped 28 shots.

Despite the loss, it was a successful season for the Dutchmen as they captured the Cleary Cup for winning the ECAC Hockey regular season title.  They also had the most wins in a season in school history.