Nowak's long range-shot was preceded by the goal by sophomore winger Jeff Stonehouse. Stonehouse gave the Crimson a 2-1 lead at 11:24 of the first period on a wristshot from the right face-off dot that somehow eluded Wise.

The Crimson, though, had to contend with a scrappy Skating Dutchman squad that had a lot on the line. In danger of losing the tenth and final postseason berth, Union came back from deficits of 1-0 and 2-1 in the first period, despite getting outshot 16-8 in the opening frame.

By the second period, high quality scoring chances were hard to come by for either team as the game slowed down to the pace the less-skilled Skating Dutchmen prefer.

"Gotta give Union credit because they were playing for their playoff lives." Stonehouse said. "But we came out with a win, so it all equals out."

Wise made 33 saves in defeat for Union. Coach Kevin Sneddon '92 gave him the nod in order to rest his workhorse sophomore, Brandon Snee. Snee had started every single game for Union up until last weekend, and was, by Sneddon's admission, physically and mentally tired.

Junior center Steve Moore opened the scoring for the Crimson, knocking home a shot from the slot off a Union turnover at 8:45 of the first period.

Bryant Westerman and Jeff Sproat scored the two Union goals. Sproat's tally came with 40 seconds left in the first on the power play.

Union defeated Brown 4-2 in Providence, R.I., on Saturday to finish 10th and to earn the right to face No. 7 St. Lawrence in the first round.