PINE VALLEY, N.Y. — In a rematch of the 2018 United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) Championship Game, the No. 15-ranked Utica College Pioneers marched away victorious past the Elmira College men’s ice hockey team, 6-0, on Friday night.
Elmira’s Jake Sabourin ’21 got the start in net for the Soaring Eagles, his fourth of the season, and finished with 30 saves in 60 minutes of action.
Back-to-back goals from the Pioneers in a two-minute span handed the visitors an early lead in tonight’s bout. Zach Borsoi found the back of the cage at 4:38 by beating a screened Sabourin on assists from Eric Hollan and Regen Cavanagh. Utica’s second goal came from the Justin Allen’s blade, as he rocketed a shot in from the point, once again beating Sabourin, who was screened on the play. Shawn Lynch and Gregg Burmaster were credited with assists on the goal.
EC had several scoring chances in the opening 20 minutes, including a prime one-on-one opportunity for Andrew Pucci ’21, but the speedy forward was unable to beat Utica’s Gianluca Baggetta, who collected one of his 10 first-period saves. Baggetta’s efforts sent the Pioneers into the first period with a 2-0 lead.
Elmira tightened things up in the second stanza but Utica’s aggressiveness on the forecheck yielded a pair of goals, both of which were scored even-strength. Jacob Gerson made it a 3-0 game at 10:32, before Tyler Dill tallied UC’s fourth goal of the night at 15:15 to send the Pioneers into the final intermission with a commanding 4-0 lead.
The Soaring Eagles had their chances in the second period, including a pair of power-play opportunities that saw EC produce seven shots. In addition to those seven shots, Matthew Cousino ’22 saw a hard-hit slap shot rattle off of the right pipe, as the Purple and Gold remained in search of their first goal of the evening.
EC outshot Utica, 9-7, in the third frame but was unable to find the back of the net on those nine attempts. On the other hand, Utica was able to cash in on two of its seven chances on goals from Gerson, his second of the night, and Cavanagh, to propel the Pioneers to a 6-0 victory.
News and Notes
Elmira’s overall record was leveled at 4-4-0.
The Soaring Eagles went 0-for-4 on the power play.
Utica was 0-for-3 on the power play.
It marked the first game this season EC has not scored a power-play goal.
Sabourin’s 30 saves are the second-most he’s acquired this season.
Up Next
Elmira will look to bounce back tomorrow night when the Soaring Eagles host Nazareth College in UCHC action. The opening puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Murray Athletic Center.
