ELMIRA, NY – Elmira College’s Brian Depp netted a penalty shot goal with 1:38 left in the overtime period to lead the host Soaring Eagles to a 3-2 come from behind victory over Utica College in ECAC Men’s West hockey action on Saturday night. The Pioneers held a 2-1 lead midway through the third period, but the Soaring Eagles tied the game up with 3:55 left in regulation and then Depp scored his second of the night on the penalty shot in overtime to lift Elmira to the key conference victory.
Utica freshman Shawn Lynch (Syracuse, NY/Ottawa Jr. Senators (CCHL)) gave the Pioneers a 1-0 first period lead with his second goal of the season and junior Trent Samuels-Thomas (West Hartford, CT/Omaha (USHL)) put the Pioneers ahead 2-1 at the 10:54 marker of the third period. Lynch also assisted on the Pioneers second goal of the night. The line of Nick Miglio (San Antonio, TX/Bismarck (NAHL)), Lynch and Samuels-Thomas connected on both of the Pioneers goals, as Miglio also finished the night with two assists and Samuels-Thomas posted one goal and one assist.
It was the second straight night that the two teams needed overtime to decide the contest, although Friday night’s tilt ended in 2-2 tie. The Pioneers’ record moved to 11-9-4 overall and 5-6-3 in the ECAC West, while Elmira improved to 11-9-3 overall and 4-7-2 in conference play.
Utica closes out regular season play back at home on Friday when it hosts Nazareth College in an ECAC West competition.
Lynch gave the Pioneers a 1-0 lead 12:54 into the first frame and they were able to hold the one goal lead for the majority of the second period until Depp netted his first of the night, with 2:24 left to play in the second period. The two teams skated into the third period with the score tied at 1-1.
Samuels-Thomas put the Pioneers on top 2-1 with his second goal of the season at the 10:54 marker of the third period. Elmira’s Carter Shinkaruk registered his 18th goal of the season, unassisted, with 3:55 left in the game to send the content into overtime.
Elmira outshot the Pioneers 36-26 on the afternoon as UC freshman goalie Michael Fredrick (Lethbridge, Alberta/Brooks Bandits (AJHL)) stopped 33 shots in net. Sandro Aeschlimann made 24 saves in net for the Soaring Eagles.
Elmira and Utica wrapped up the regular season series knotted at 1-1-1. Utica topped the Soaring Eagles at the Aud, 4-3, back on November 13, 2015.
