UTICA, NY – After a 2-0 weekend in ECAC West Conference play, the Utica College men’s hockey team has risen in the USCHO.com and D3hockey.com National Polls released Monday. The Pioneers cracked the top ten and rank No. 9 in this week’s USCHO.com National Poll. UC also moved up three spots and is ranked No. 11 in the latest D3hockey.com National Poll.
Utica is now 4-0 overall and 2-0 in ECAC West play and the Pioneers return to action Saturday at 1 p.m. when they take on conference newcomer Lebanon Valley at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. Saturday’s contest is game four of a five game home stand for the Pioneers.
Utica is 4-0 to start the season for just the third time in program history. The last time Utica started a season 4-0 was back in 2012-13 when the Pioneers finished the year with a program-best 21-6-1 overall record and advanced to the NCAA Division III Championship Semifinals in Lake Placid for the first and only time in program-history.
UC is currently one of just six teams nationally with an unblemished record and the Pioneers join Oswego State as the only two teams in the country with four wins as of Monday.
Utica is currently tied for sixth nationally with an average of 5.50 goals per game. They rank second nationally on the power-play, scoring on nine of 24 power-play chances (37.5%) this season. The Pioneers also lead the nation in combined special teams (33/52, 63.5%). The Pioneers also rank sixth nationally in scoring margin, outscoring their opponents by an average of .325 goals per contest.
Utica junior forward Roman Ammirato (Williamstown, NJ/Union College (ECAC)) is currently tied for third nationally with an average of 2.25 points per game. Junior Kevin Valenti (Queensbury, NY/Northern Cyclones (EHL)) ranks second on the team with six points on three goals and three assists, while Mikhail Bushinski (Woodbury, MN/Kenai River (NAHL)) is tied for the team lead with five assists. Senior Connor Schmidt (Monroe, MI/Arizona State (D1-Ind.)) is tied for 20th nationally in defenseman scoring with an average of 1.25 points per game.
Utica goalies Patrik Virtanen (Vantaa, Finland/Lincoln (USHL)) and Henry Dill (Columbus, OH/UMASS (Hockey East)) each have a 2-0 record this season. Dill was recently named the ECAC West Goalie of the Week after an impressive 30 save performance in the Pioneers’ win over Manhattanville. Virtanen currently leads the team with a 2.01 goals against average.
