UTICA, NY- The Utica College men’s hockey team snapped a three-game losing streak as it topped ECAC West Conference rival and nationally ranked No. 14 Neumann University 2-1 Friday night at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.
With the win, the Pioneers move into third place in the conference standings with a 3-3-1 league record and a 9-6-2 mark overall. Neumann, meanwhile drops to 10-6-1, and 2-5 in league play. Both teams return to the Aud on Saturday to wrap up the season series. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
After a scoreless first period, it was the Pioneers who struck first as freshman Justin Derlago (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Selkirk (MJHL)) put in a rebound on the power play at 15:48 for his fourth of the year. A long shot from the point by Alex Roberts (Burnaby, British Columbia/Brooks Bandits (AJHL)) barely slipped through the legs of Neumann goalie Mitch Wiebe. Derlago was sitting on the doorstep and tapped the puck into the open net. Kevin Valenti (Queensbury, NY/Northern Cyclones (EHL)) added the other assist for his team-best tenth helper of the year.
Just 1:33 into the final frame junior Luc Boby (Chicago, IL/Kalamazoo (NAHL)) put in his first of the year on a highlight real goal to give the Pioneers a two-goal cushion. Roberts and sophomore Brett Szajner (Novi, MI/Amarillo (NAHL)) assisted on the play.
Neumann brought the game within one at 8:28 as Mike Davis placed a perfect shot off the far post and in for his team-leading 18th goal of the year. Shayne Morrissey assisted on the play.
Despite having an extra attacked for the final 1:17 of regulation, Neumann was unable to get the equalizer as Utica net minder Michael Fredrick (Lethbridge, Alberta/Brooks Bandits (AJHL)) and the UC defense held strong. Fredrick finished with 29 saves and held the Knights scoreless on four power plays. Wiebe, meanwhile made 32 stops in the loss. UC went 1-for-3 with the man advantage.
