Box Score (PDF)
 
ITHACA, N.Y. — Matt Buckles scored two of the #7/8 Cornell men's hockey team's three power-play goals on Saturday night, but the Big Red conceded two goals in the final four minutes of the third period and settled for a 3-3 tie at Union. Mitch Vanderlaan scored Cornell's other goal, and Jake Weidner had two assists.
 
Cornell (11-3-3, 6-2-2 ECAC Hockey) took advantage of Union (9-8-6, 2-7-3) penalty trouble in the first period to build a two-goal lead. The game's chemistry changed just 3:53 in, when Jeff Taylor — one of Union's top defensemen — was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for hitting from behind. Cornell went to work on the extended power play and produced Buckles' first goal at the 5:30 mark. Christian Hilbrich created the play on the forecheck by forcing a turnover before dishing off to Jake Weidner, who then set up Buckles for a shot from the slot that smacked off the near post, the back of Union goalie Jake Kupsky's head and onto the back bar.
 
Union was then issued the game's next penalty for a low-bridge hit near its blue line, and Buckles capitalized again to push Cornell's lead to 2-0. Weidner won a faceoff to the left of Kupsky, and Patrick McCarron worked the puck to the center point for Buckles' shot. While that chance went a wry, the Big Red regained control and once again connected on passes to set up a Buckles shot that went through a would-be shotblocker and between Kupsky's legs.
 
At the other end of the ice, Cornell did well to limit Union to really only one scoring opportunity when Gillam flashed his glove to snag a wrister from Rich Ammirato in the high slot with 4:13 left in the period. The Big Red had seven of its 20 total blocked shots in the opening 20 minutes.
 
Union got on the board with Sebastian Vidmar's goal 5 minutes into the second, but Vanderlaan restored Cornell's two-goal lead inside four minutes. Reece Willcox and Ryan Bliss worked the puck to Vanderlaan in the right circle, and he beat Kupsky low to the near post for his first collegiate power-play goal. The strike also chased Kupsky, leading to the collegiate debut of freshman Joe Young. Union's backup answered the call, making 13 saves — including five in overtime, most through traffic.
 
Cornell seemed to be in control during the third period until a high-sticking penalty gave Union a power play with 4:36 to play. The Dutchmen then also opted to pull Young for an extra skater, and Nick DeSimone scored a six-on-four goal from the right circle which deflected off a Cornell defender on top of the crease. Spencer Foo tied the game 62 seconds later by forcing the puck to the net from the bottom of the left circle and sliding it beneath Gillam.
 
This was the second time this season Cornell scored three power-play goals in a game — and it failed to win either of those games. The other occurrence was Nov. 7 vs. Quinnipiac, when the Bobcats overcame two three-goal deficits for an overtime victory at Lynah Rink.
 
Cornell returns home for a pair of ECAC Hockey and Ivy League games next weekend. The Big Red takes on Dartmouth at 7 p.m. Friday in a game which will be simulcast on the ESPN3, then the highly anticipated rivalry game against Harvard will follow at 7 p.m. Saturday at Lynah Rink.