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Schenectady, NY -- Union didn't play its best hockey on Wednesday night at Messa Rink at the Achille Center, but as good hockey teams do, the Dutchmen pulled out a victory over visiting Dartmouth, 3-2.
The come-from-behind victory propelled Union into sole possession of first place in the ECAC, two points ahead of Quinnipiac, the defending ECAC Regular Season Champions.
Three freshmen connected for the game-winning tally on the power play with 3:36 to play in the hockey game. Michael Pontarelli tipped a slap shot from the point by defenseman Jeff Taylor after a win on the face-off by Mike Vecchione.
The Dutchmen entered the third period trailing Dartmouth, 2-1. Sophomore Nick Cruice scored 9:39 into the third period to tie the game at two. Max Novak and Daniel Ciampini assisted on the score.
Dartmouth junior Tyler Sikura, the team's leading scorer last season, scored his first goal of the season in the first period to start the scoring and give the Big Green a 1-0 lead on the road.
Union senior Daniel Carr, the school's all-time goal scoring leader, scored his eighth of the season just 17 seconds into the second period to even the score.
Ryan Bullock scored his first goal of the season 39 seconds later to break the tie and give Bob Gaudet's team its second lead of the game. Troy Crema and Eric Neily picked up the helpers.
Union junior goaltender Colin Stevens made 37 saves on the night to pick up his ninth win of the season. The Dutchmen (11-3-2) head west to square off with NCHC-leading St. Cloud for a pair of games at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center this weekend.
Dartmouth (2-10-0) is off until hosting the Ledyard Bank Classic after Christmas. The Big Green's first round opponent is Providence then they will face Air Force or Northeastern depending on the results of the first round.
Jeff Cox covers college and junior hockey, NCAA recruiting, NHL Draft prospects and the AHL for SBNation. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.