The Utica College men's hockey team is coming off a strong three game home stand where it defeated SUNY Brockport (3-1) and Franklin Pierce University (8-0 and 10-1) to improve to 3-0 for the first time in program-history. UC opens up its conference schedule when it visits Hobart College at The Cooler this Friday at 7p.m. The contest marks the season-opener for the Statesmen who return a host of players from last year's 13-10-3 squad that finished third in the ECAC Men's West Conference; two spots ahead of Utica.

The Pioneers are led into the weekend by second year forward Evan Chlanda (Islip, NY/Springfield (EJHL)) who has three goals and five assists for a team-high eight points this season. First year forward Trever Hertz (Jaffray, British Columbia/Quesnel Millionaires (BCHL)) and junior forward Tim Coffman (Elverson, PA/Laconia (AJHL)) both rank second on the team with seven points. UC has scored an impressive 21 goals in three games and given up just two in that span.

The Statesmen welcome back seniors Matthew Wallace, Danny Organ, and Kyle Whitaker. In 2009-10, Wallace led Hobart with 28 points and finished the season ranked fifth in the ECAC West in goals scored (15).

Utica will get back on the road on Saturday at 7 p.m. when it visits Elmira College who dropped two out of three games to open season at SUNY Oswego.

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