Union men’s hockey heads north this weekend for a critical ECAC series against St. Lawrence on Friday night and Clarkson on Saturday afternoon. With the last month of the regular season underway, Union enters the weekend ninth in the conference and in the middle of a tight race for potential home ice advantage in the first round.
Union has eight conference games remaining and sits just outside the top eight, making every point increasingly important as the playoffs loom ahead. The Garnet Chargers have relied on strong defensive play throughout the season, highlighted by the top penalty kill unit in the country and steady goaltending from first-year Brayden Gillespie. Offensively, Union has received consistent production from Brandon Buhr, Tyler Dunbar, Parker Lindauer, and Lucas Buzziol, a group that will be central to generating chances on the road.
Friday’s matchup against St. Lawrence opens the weekend against a Saints team that has struggled to find consistency but remains dangerous at home. St. Lawrence has had difficulty limiting goals this season, but the Saints have shown they can capitalise on defensive mistakes and create momentum in transitions. Union will look to control the pace and limit turnovers, something they have struggled with in the past, to avoid giving SLU opportunities to dictate play.
Clarkson presents a different challenge on Saturday. The Golden Knights play a more structured, physical style and have shown balance across their lineup. Clarkson’s forecheck and pressure on the puck will test Union’s defensive discipline and puck management, particularly in an arena that has been difficult for visiting teams. For Union, the series represents a chance to gain momentum and solidify its position as the regular season enters its final stretch, with postseason implications hanging in the balance.
