UTICA, NY – The Utica College men’s hockey team moved into the top 15 of both the D3hockey.com and USCHO.com National Polls released Monday. The Pioneers are ranked No. 13 by USCHO.com and No. 14 by D3hockey.com after opening the season with two convincing wins over host Fredonia (6-2, Friday) and visiting Plymouth (6-4, Saturday).
The Pioneers are now 2-0 overall for the sixth time in the last seven seasons. Utica returns to action this weekend when it opens up ECAC West Conference play at home. UC hosts Neumann on Friday night (7 p.m.) and Manhattanville on Saturday (7 p.m.).
Utica had a tremendous start to its season over the weekend as 11 different players scored at least two points. The Pioneers netted 12 goals, earned two victories and currently leads the nation with six power-play goals. Junior Kevin Valenti (Queensbury, NY/Northern Cyclones (EHL)), the reigning ECAC West Conference Player of the Week, led the Pioneers with five points on three goals and one assist. Junior transfer Roman Ammirato (Williamstown, NJ/Union College (ECAC)) totaled four points on two goals and two assists while Alex Roberts (Burnaby, British Columbia/Brooks Bandits (AJHL)), Alex Brissette (Atlanta, GA/Hampton Roads (USPHL)), Vince Stefan (Pittsburgh, PA/Kenai River (NAHL)), Connor Schmidt (Monroe, MI/Arizona State (D1-Ind.)) and Dalton Carter (Toledo, OH/Northern Cyclones (EHL)) each registered three points.
Freshman goalie Patrik Virtanen (Vantaa, Finland/Lincoln (USHL)) made 21 saves in the Pioneers 6-2 win over Fredonia on Friday night. He posted a .913 save percentage on his way to the first collegiate victory of his career.
