The Utica College men's hockey team (1-0-1) defeated visiting and nationally-ranked No. 2 Neumann University 7-3 in ECAC Men's West Conference play at the Utica Memorial Auditorium Friday. Freshman forward Evan Chlanda netted two goals and the Pioneers went 6-for-10 on the power play to knock off the defending national champions in front of 3,731 fans at the Aud.  

The Utica victory highlighted the second annual AmeriCU "Pink the Rink" event where the Pioneers dawned special edition pink jersey's which were auctioned off through out the game.  All proceeds from the auction benefited the American Cancer Society.

The Pioneers shot out of the gates once again and opened up a 2-1 lead in the first period.  Chlanda tallied his first collegiate goal to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead off assists from sophomore Scott Wentworth and freshman Robert Etts just 3:33 into the contest. 

Neumann's Matt Ward evened the score up at 1-1 just over three minutes later before the Pioneers' Kyle Zobler netted his first collegiate goal to steal the lead right back on the power-play with 56 seconds left in the first period of play.

Neumann's William Lacasse scored a short handed goal 34 seconds into the second period to tie the game back up at 2-2 and it seemed as if the momentum was shifting in the Knights advantage. 

The Pioneers squandered any thoughts of a come from behind victory for the Knights by scoring the games next four goals in a span of 8:37. Matt Fitzgibbons, Evan Chlanda, Eric Peterson and Kyle Zobler each netted goals in succession to give UC a commanding 6-2 lead headed into the third period of play. 

The first six Pioneer tallies came on the power-play. 

Each team netted a third period goal to close out the scoring on the day. 

Zobler and Chlanda each netted their first two collegiate goals for UC on the evening, while Brian Gibbons, Matt Fitzgibbons, Russell Anderson, Scott Wentworth and Robert Etts each added two points. 

Ward and Lacasse each totaled two points a piece for the Knights. 

Utica senior goalie Anthony Luckow played strong in net all night stopping 39 shots in the victory.  Ross MacKinnon and Matt Tendler combined for 23 saves for the Knights. 

The Pioneers return home next Friday when they square off against New England College at 7 p.m.  Live video and stats will be available at www.ucpioneers.com. 

                       --- www.ucpioneers.com ---