The Utica College men's hockey team scored four unanswered goals, after falling behind 2-0 in the first period, to defeat visiting Cortland State 4-2 in front of 3,088 fans at the Utica Memorial Auditorium Saturday night. Junior Sean Timkey netted the game-winner 2:12 into the third period of play to help the Pioneers snap a five game winless streak. Matt Fitzgibbons, Brian Gibbons and Aaron Jeffery also scored goals for the Pioneers.
The Pioneers are now 5-6-3 overall, while the Red Dragons dropped to 5-10 on the year.
Cortland came out firing in the first period and took a 2-0 lead in the first 11:49 of the contest behind goals from Jake Saville and Mike Lysyj. Saville's fourth goal of the season came just 2:43 into the first frame and was assisted by Dave Williams. Lysyj scored his fifth goal of the season, shorthanded, in the 11th minute after Corey John took a shot on goal during a 2-on-1 break away for the Red Dragons.
UC turned it on in the final two periods, outshooting Cortland 28-17 in the 40 minute span, and they also were able to find the back of the next four consecutive times.
Senior Matt Fitzgibbons opened the scoring on the day for the Pioneers when he netted his fifth goal of the season off assists from Vincent Nucci and Tim Coffman on the 6-on-4 power play at the 7:10 mark of the second period. 48 seconds later, just as the Pioneer power play expired, Brian Gibbons tallied his fifth goal of the season to knot the score at 2-2 at 7:58.
Timkey added the game-winner 2:12 into the third period off assists from freshman Robert Etts and senior assistant captain Sean McKevitt. Senior Aaron Jeffery added an insurance goal, his first of the season, in the 15th minute of the final period to give the Pioneers the two goal victory. Josh Schmitt assisted on the final goal of the contest.
Junior Justin Bolla replaced Anthony Luckow in net for UC midway through the first period and held the Red Dragons scoreless for 48:11 of play to earn his first victory of the season. Mike Reilly stopped 21 shots in net for Cortland.
UC returns to action on Tuesday when they take on Brockport State in non conference play at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7 p.m. Cortland returns home for the first of a six game home stand on Tuesday when they take on Lebanon Valley at 7 p.m.
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