The Utica College men's hockey team (2-0-1) used six second period goals and a 53-21 shot advantage over the course of the contest to roll past visiting Western New England College 12-1 in front of 3,427 fans at the Utica Memorial Auditorium Friday night. 15 of the Pioneers 18 skaters tallied at least one point, led by sophomore sensation Tim Coffman, who posted a hat trick and added two assists.
The Pioneers, who are receiving votes in the USCHO.com national poll, are now 3-0 all-time against the Golden Bears and they have out scored the visitor 25-4 over the course of those three games.
UC shot out to a quick 3-0 lead behind goals from senior assistant captain Sean McKevitt, freshman Kyle Zobler and Coffman. Zobler's power-play goal was his third of the season and was assisted by McKevitt and Rochester native Vincent Nucci.
WNEC added a 6-on-4 power play tally, scored by Chris Beaudoin, in the 16th minute of the first period to cut the Pioneers lead to 3-1 with less than four minutes to go in the first stanza.
UC laid it on heavy with six second period goals to put the game out of reach. Robert Etts, Matt Fitzgibbons and Coffman each added power play goals, while Scott Birnstill, Max White and Russell Anderson each scored as well to give UC a commanding 9-1 lead headed into the final period of play.
The Pioneers added three insurance goals in the third period from the sticks of Birnstull, Coffman and freshman Evan Chlanda to seal the victory.
Pioneer net minder Anthony Luckow stopped 12 shots in two full periods of action, while junior Justin Bolla came in to add eight saves for UC in the third.
Justin Richards stopped 33 shots for the Golden Bears and CJ Kelehan added five saves in just under five minutes of work.
Nine different Pioneers added at least two points including Coffman (three goals, two assists), Nucci (three assists), Anderson (one goal, one assist), Birnstill (two goals), Brian Gibbons, (two assists), Chlanda (one goal, one assist), Fitzgibbons, (one goal, one assist), Zobler (one goal, one assist), and Etts (one goal, one assist).
The Pioneers return to action tomorrow when they travel to the Campus Center Ice Arena to take on the Lakers of Oswego State. Oswego is currently ranked No. 2 nationally. The contest is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
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