Collin Graf and Brandon Estes each had a goal and an assist and Connor Murphy made 34 saves to lead Union College to a 2-1 victory over Colorado College Friday night in Schenectady, N.Y.
 
The Dutchmen spoiled the homecoming of CC's first-year head coach Kris Mayotte, who was Union's starting goalie from 2002-06.
 
For the third consecutive game, CC (0-2-1) outshot its opponent, this time 35-17, including a 16-4 advantage in the third period. The Tigers also attempted 17 shots on six power plays, but once again was unable to score with a man advantage.
 
After a scoreless first period, Danny Weight nearly notched his first goal as a Tiger, but his wrist shot from the left circle was snared by Murphy.
 
Graf put the Dutchmen on the board during a 5-on-3 power play. Graf took a cross-ice pass from Estes and fired a one-timer from the left circle past CC goalie Dominic Basse (15 saves) at the 6:34 mark of the middle frame.
 
The Tigers responded when Hunter McKown scored his first goal of the season to even the score at the 9:56 mark. Connor Mayer took the puck behind the net from the left boards and sent a beautiful pass back to McKown, who was parked at the left post and had an open net as Murphy expected Mayer to continue behind the net.
 
The Dutchmen (1-2-0) regained the lead when Graf found Estes all alone in the slot and his one-timer sailed past Basse, who had lost his stick. Jack Millar gave his stick to Basse, then was unable to defend Estes in the slot.
 
The Tigers had three power plays the rest of the way, including a five-minute opportunity in the third period. CC put six shots on Murphy before a high-sticking call to Stanley Cooley wiped it out nearly four minutes into the power play.
 
Coach Mayotte's Comments
"It's starting to sound like a broken record, but this is the fourth-straight (including exhibition game against Air Force) third period we've absolutely owned. We are generating shot attempts on the power play and we had some good looks. We took a penalty to put them up 5-on-3 and they scored, but I thought our response was fantastic and we got the next goal.
 
"Our guys are playing well, but you don't play the game to play well, you play to win. I thought we executed our game plan great tonight. This might have been our best offensive game so far this season. I thought start to finish we were the better team. Our guys are doing all the right things.
 
"I hate losing with a passion, but we have so many good things going on, there is a lot to build off of."
 
Up Next
Colorado College and Union will battle again on Saturday night, beginning at 5 p.m. (MT).