Bowles, Mrazek move Union closer to first-round bye

PHOTOGRAPHER: Ken Schott

Union is on the verge of something amazing, thanks to a pair of seniors who will have at least two more home games to play.

Goalie Justin Mrazek made a career-high 46 saves, and Sam Bowles had a goal and an assist Saturday, leading the Dutchmen to a 3-1 ECAC Hockey victory over St. Lawrence in the final regular-season home game at Messa Rink.

The win, coupled with Cornell’s 2-1 loss to Princeton, puts the Dutchmen (9-6-5 ECACH, 14-11-6 overall) in a fourth-place tie with the Big Red. But the Dutchmen have the tiebreaker over the Big Red, which means, with two games left in the regular season, Union is in great position to get an ECACH tournament first-round bye.

Mrazek made 21 saves in the first period, keeping the game scoreless for the Dutchmen, who showed the effects of Friday’s feisty 3-3 tie against Clarkson.

Bowles, who missed the last two games because of an injury suffered against Cornell last Friday, snapped a 1-1 tie with his third goal of the season with 5:37 left in the second period. He then assisted on Chris Potts’ third-period goal.