Box Score

Utica, N.Y. (11/27/2010) – Freshman forward Jon Gaffney (Dover, NJ/Springfield Blues (NAHL)) had a career night, netting two goals and adding one assist, as the Utica College men's hockey team defeated visiting and nationally-ranked No. 10 Amherst College, 3-1, in front of 2,975 fans at the Utica Memorial Auditorium Saturday night.

The Pioneers, who snapped a two game skid, improved to 6-3 overall while the visiting Lord Jeffs lost their second game in as many nights and evened their record to 2-2.

“That was a great effort against a nationally-ranked team. We needed this one,” said Head Coach Gary Heenan. “That is the kind of goal tending and defense we are going to need to be successful down the stretch.”

Utica freshman goalie Evan Smith (Penticton, British Columbia/Calgary Royals (AJHL)) was a rock in net all evening, surrendering just one goal, as he stopped 26 shots and earned his fourth victory of the season.

The Pioneers dominated the first five minutes of the contest and jumped out to a 1-0 lead after Gaffney beat All-American senior goalie Cole Anderson, between the legs, to give UC an early advantage. Freshman classmates Ridge Garbutt (Toronto, Ontario/Brewster Academy (NH)) and Nick Geraci (Manalapan, NJ/Green Mountain (EJHL)) assisted on the even strength goal.

“Getting out to an early lead always helps and we are all excited to see Gaffney have a break out night,” said Heenan of Gaffney's three point effort.

Amherst, which killed a 5-on-3 power-play immediately following Utica's first goal, warmed up a bit as the period progressed but the Pioneers still carried a 12-5 shot advantage into the first intermission.

Utica came out sluggish in the second period, committing two penalties in the first minute, and the Lord Jeffs took advantage by netting a 4-on-4 goal, just as the Pioneers released their fourth skater from the box, to knot the score, 1-1, 2:35 into the period. Junior forward Mark Colp wristed the game-tying goal into the top left corner off an assist from sophomore Mike Mohler.

Utica regained the lead midway through the second period when Gaffney dug the puck out of the corner and blindly passed it out front right to the stick of classmate Ridge Garbutt (Toronto, Ontario/Brewster Academy (NH)). Garbutt netted his second goal of the season, in the right side of the net, to put UC back on top, 2-1. Freshman defender Mike Slowikowski (Ewing, NJ/N.J. Hitmen (EJHL)) was also credited with an assist on the goal.

Gaffney went on to score an empty netter, his fifth of the year, to seal the victory for the Pioneers with 31 seconds to play. Freshman Chris Santiago (Langley, British Columbia/Surrey Eagles (BCHL)) and junior captain Tim Coffman (Elverson, PA/Laconia (AJHL)) assisted on Gaffney's second tally of the contest.

Anderson made 26 in his second straight loss for the visiting Lord Jeffs. The Pioneers outshot Amherst 29-27 on the evening and Utica fended off eight power-plays to preserve the victory.

The Pioneers return to action for their fifth straight home game next Friday when they host ECAC Men's West Conference rival Manhattanville College. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7 p.m. The Valiant's (5-2) are currently ranked No. 11 in the nation and defeated Amherst last night 5-0.

                                                                      --- www.ucpioneers.com ---