March 4, 2008
Team of the Week: Union
by Adam Wodon/Managing Editor
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — It's not every week that you can lose at Brown and still win CHN Team of the Week. But call this one — our finale of the season — an homage for a season's body of work.
And anything that gets our good friend Ken Schott to go a little crazy, we have to consider a big deal.
To put Union's first-round ECAC playoff bye in context — which it earned despite splitting this past weekend — remember that, not only is the little school in Schenectady, N.Y., a non-scholarship school, but it's Division III school. It doesn't even have the cachet of an Ivy League team.
And it was just four years ago when then-president Roger Hull made his now-infamous declaration that he was "proud" when the program finished .400. With those kind of expectations set for the program, and with little financial support, the program was doomed to fail.
Good coaches like Stan Moore and Kevin Sneddon came and went.
But here is Nate Leaman, seeing it through. And in his time there, he has seen a new president, some new assistance from the admissions department, and at least some optimism.
And in that context, Union — which has never made the ECAC tournament's final weekend since joining the league in 1991 — was able to take advantage of a relatively mediocre ECAC season, and place fourth.
Yeah, so what the Dutchmen actually lost its last game, when a win or tie would've clinched a spot. Cornell's loss Saturday — a team Union has beaten twice — put the Dutchmen into the final spot.
"It's a season-long accomplishment, so we're OK with that," Leaman said.
"You've got to understand, this program — this is not a Boston College, it's not even a UMass. We have to take steps, baby steps. We're working up the ladder here. ... With that said, this is a step we neeed to take and we have to do something in the playoffs now."
Leaman and the rest of the coaches knew the Harvard result in the middle of the third period. The players didn't know, but seemed to figure it out.
"They knew when I didn't pull Magic (goalie Justin Mrazek)," said Leaman. "But the guys know. As a coach, sometimes you're just worried about making sure you're playing at your highest level."
Which is not to say that Leaman and his staff were giddy on Saturday night. The team's effort was poor in the first period, at least. Leaman didn't allow the players to speak to the media after the game.
"I think it's a step with our young team," Leaman said. "We have to spend the next two weeks improving because that effort will not be good enough in the playoffs, that's the bottom line. The effort needs to be a lot better, especially in the one-on-one battles."
This is all new to Union, and it's new to Leaman. When he was an assistant at Harvard, there was no bye week, so he hasn't experienced this either.
Leaman gave the team Monday off, then it's four days of practice, the weekend off, and back to practice. The Dutchmen will play Cornell again, if the Big Red win their best-of-3 series at home against last-place Dartmouth. If not, Union will play the highest remaining seed of the first-round competitors.
It remains to be seen whether Union players can re-charge the batteries in this time, or completely lose their edge. This is the age-old question.
"We've played eight weeks straight of league games. Ourselves, Cornell and Colgate are the only three teams that play 16 straight league games in the second half. And those wear on you," Leaman said. "And this isn't an excuse, but we go to school too; academics wears on the kids too. So we have to use this time wisely and make sure that we get healthy, and make sure we have the energy to bring our 'A' game.
"When you're playing 16 straight league games, it takes its toll on you weekend after weekend, especially since the games get more and more intense, and get harder and harder. So it's (the bye) something I'm very happy we accomplished, because we need that mental break."
nice article im a union fan , but u have to know the reason that union doesnt do good iis the eaca hates union college . they favor cornell, clarkson,rpi,havard,yale. they never give union a chance .
Mar 5 2008, 3:50 pm by schenectady
I'm a Union backer also, but I'm not really sure what that last post was about. It will be interesting to see if Union in fact does face Cornell, if they can beat them 4 times in the same season.
Mar 5 2008, 4:41 pm by
Thanks for mocking Brown! You make us seem like we're AIC, for God's sake.
Mar 5 2008, 5:40 pm by Bill, Providence
This is a great step for Nate and the Union program. Congratulation!!! Union is great place to go to school and a great place to play hockey. Union is a non-scholarship school and does not have the drawing power of a Havard or a Princeton which makes this even more special.
BEST OF LUCK DUTCHMEN!!!
Mar 5 2008, 8:18 pm by Brad, St. Catharines
Union is an excellent college that does a nice job balancing its small size and high academic standards with routinely competitive sports programs. Union is full of hard working, bright students who don't possess an ounce of entitlement. All of this makes the hockey team's current run wonderfully remarkable and Leaman's accomplishments as a coach soundly impressive. Go Union!
Mar 6 2008, 10:54 am by New York, NY
Bill,
Thanks for mocking AIC! You make us seem like we're... oh, wait...
Mar 6 2008, 11:27 am by Chas. D. Otts-Rout, Agochic
i hope union gets a tougher schedule next year as a result of this year's success, not only for the experience but to show they can compete with the big dogs - as for this year, leaman and the boys have GOT TO make something happen this year and they need the fans help - so get loud!!!
ps - tks to union athletics, since uscho is horrible when it comes to timely hockey coverage, let alone the ecac
Mar 6 2008, 1:15 pm by
Go Union!!! Wonder where Union hockey would be now if Ned Harkness had his way back in '79 but all the same : Good Luck boys!!!
Mar 6 2008, 1:24 pm by Faithful fan in Florida
Great article. Good to see U getting the recognition. Rumor has it the Dutch will step up in class next year schedule wise. But right now, the focus is winning next weekend and heading to Albany.
Mar 6 2008, 3:10 pm by
The schedule is quite grueling as it is. Union plays 34 games 5 more than the ivy schools. We are blessed with a wonderful coach, great AD, supportive fans from within Union, and the local community. It is a nice milestone in the progression of the program. Keep in mind the cumulative average of the hockey team is a 3.1. Looking forward to hosting in Messa Rink 2rd.
Mar 7 2008, 9:39 pm by Jason Oshins Livingston, NJ
Way to go Boys. People may finally know that Union exists in the Division I world. I was part of the first recruiting class for Union (goaltender Mike Gallant) as they entered the ECAC in 91-92 and when we ironically beat Brown 3-2 in their building in 93-94 to clinch 6th place and our first playoff birth, it was the greatest feeling of accomplishment as Brown was a highly ranked team Nationally at that time. It was the highlight of my career with a 52 save night and Chris Albert sliding one underneath Parsons with just over a minute left for the win. After listening to chants of "safety school" by the snobs of the Ivy League it was nice to shove it down their throats. We took our rivals RPI to a deciding final game before literally running out of gas. Good luck boys, crush the Big Red.
Mar 7 2008, 10:51 pm by Mike Gallant, Oshawa, Ontario
No doubt about it Union is in a constant uphill battle when it comes to such areas as recruiting. Nate's done a tremendous job and I expect nothing less from him in the future.
Mar 7 2008, 11:22 pm by
Union is a team of the now and stronger future, strong recruited class 08 things about to get exciting
Mar 8 2008, 5:34 pm by Ned camden
Thank God Val Belmonte is GONE! Good job Nate. Val literally was throwing curveballs at the whole athletic dept. I was happy for Kevin Sneddon leaving for Vermont (Reason Val) But also happy for Nate. Union needs more $ to help this program out-they need more people in that rink working-how about taking more of a stand Nate. Those guys that take care of the ice need more help, I've seen them killing themselves for that program and the athletic dept treats them like dirt. Nice school but terribble dept leadership. Union should of stayed a D3 school at hockey. Roger Hull was right-be happy with a crummy season--you won't compete with the big boys ever. No money equals no quality hockey-everyone makes the playoffs in the ecac--and how about that girls team wow give it up-like I said terribble athletic dept leadership goes a long way at union. I wish you luck nate, your a good guy at a frigged up college.
Mar 8 2008, 11:37 pm by albany ny
Great year for the Dutchmen! And a great job by Coach Nate Leaman... he's got my vote for ECAC Coach of the Year.
This program has come a long way and with a little more money from the school and alums and Garnet Blade members, it can go even farther.
Mar 9 2008, 9:36 am by Terry L., Oshkosh, WI
Great year for the Dutchmen and an outstanding job for Coach Nate Leaman. He's got my vote for ECAC Coach of the Year.
With a little more money from the Athletic Dept. and from the alums and the Garnet Blade members, the program can go even farther. Go U -- good luck in the next round.
Mar 9 2008, 9:38 am by Terry L., Oshkosh, WI
CONGRATULATIONS to the Union College 2007-08 Men's Hockey Team!
Congratulations:
U who play your best games,
U who lead the team by example,
U who coach skillfully and successfully...
U can do it!
U will do it!...
We Believe in U!!
Mar 10 2008, 12:18 am by Saratoga Aficionados
Where do all the UNION fans get together before each game???? Anyone with this info would be helpful! TXS
Mar 11 2008, 7:34 pm by Ned camden
What I am looking for is there a bar Union fans get together before a game?
Mar 11 2008, 10:30 pm by Ned camden
ned, my family always gets together at marinos pizza - we will be there saturday at 5 - jason in NJ, take a look at unions strength of schedule at uscho.com - i agree with you, but it holds them back for the ncaa's - if they continue to improve, this will be an issue - but, for now, lets fire it up at achilles this weekend
Mar 12 2008, 11:32 am by
Since you're commenting on this story at collegehockeynews.com, it would be really cool if Jason in NJ took a look at Union's strength of schedule on collegehockeynews.com - instead of elsewhere :) Front page has links to Pairwise, RPI and KRACH.
Mar 12 2008, 11:42 am by CHN Editor
Ratings Percentage Index / KRACH (both w/SOS, Union 39th in one, 41st in other)
Mar 12 2008, 11:58 am by Mike Machnik, CHN
Comment on this Article
