UTICA, N.Y. – Eighth-ranked Utica (11-2-0) registered four power-play goals as the Pioneers handed the second-ranked Oswego State men’s ice hockey team (12-3-0) a 6-0 loss Saturday night at Utica Memorial Auditorium. Utica posted three goals in the first and second periods, while going 4-for-6 with the extra attacker.
Chris Santiago opened the scoring at 5:38 in the first period to give the Pioneers an early advantage. Louie Educate make it a 2-0 contest at the 13:34 mark, which was less than a minute into a Laker boarding penalty. Utica extended its lead before the end of the stanza following a power-play goal by Adam Graff at 17:24.
The Pioneers carried momentum into the second period courtesy of two Oswego State penalties in the final minute of the first. Utica capitalized on the two-skater advantage 53 seconds into the frame when Rob Morton scored.
The Pioneers struck again at 5:27 to make the score, 5-0, prompting the Lakers to pull starting goalie Andrew Hare(Sr., Burlington, Ontario) in favor of Justin Gilbert (Fr., Ottawa, Ontario). Utica scored its final goal of the game at 16:13 in the second following another 5-on-3 situation. By the end of the period, the Pioneers held a 6-0 lead.
Oswego State had two power-play chances in the third period, but came up short on the scoreboard.
Andrew Hare stopped eight shots and allowed five goals in 25:27, while Gilbert finished with 19 saves on 20 shots in 34:33 during his first collegiate appearance. Utica’s Nick Therrien made 25 saves in the win.
