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The Utica College men's hockey team is set to host Neumann University in an ECAC Men's West Conference contest at the Utica Memorial Auditorium Friday night. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7 p.m. The Pioneers (5-2, 1-1 ECAC West), who are averaging 3,304 fans per contest in five home games at the Aud, are currently receiving votes in the USCHO.com National Poll for the second straight week.

Utica is coming off one of its best performances of the season, even though it ended in a loss, as the Pioneers were able to take nationally-ranked No. 2 Oswego State (8-0) down to the wire in on Saturday.

“Even though we lost, Saturday was still a confidence boost for our young guys,” said tenth year Head Coach Gary Heenan. “If we can bring that same type of energy to the rink on Friday night I think we will be happy with the result.”

The Pioneers are currently led by sophomore forward Evan Chlanda (Islip, NY/Springfield (EJHL)) who has a team-best ten points (three goals, seven assists), including two game-winners, through seven games. Junior captain Tim Coffman (Elverson, PA/Laconia (AJHL)) ranks third on the team with eight points on two goals and two assists, while freshman Trever Hertz (Jaffray, British Columbia/Quesnel Millionaires (BCHL)) has a team-best five goals. The freshman class has contributed a great deal thus far and eight of the Pioneers' top ten scorers are first year players.

Freshman goalies Nick Therrien (Rochester, NH/NY Apple Core (EJHL)) and Evan Smith (Penticton, British Columbia/Calgary Royals (AJHL)) have split time in net this season. Therrien is currently 2-1 with a 2.95 goals against average while Smith has a 3-1 record with 2.09 goals against average.

Neumann, which won a national championship in 2008-09, is currently 2-2-1 and 1-1 in conference play. Last weekend the Knights defeated Elmira 1-0 on Friday night before losing 7-2 at home against Hobart on the following evening. They are currently led by freshman forward Michael Rey who has a team-high seven points on four goals and three assists.

Neumann Head Coach Dominick Dawes is originally from Utica, N.Y. and was an assistant for a brief stint at Utica College before accepting the position as head coach at Neumann. Dawes' younger brother, Alex, is the Director of Hockey Operations for the Pioneers.

Friday night's contest is game three of a five game home stand and it will be broadcast live on the Utica College student radio station WPNR 90.7 FM. Live stats and video will be available at www.ucpioneers.com.

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