#1 Oswego 2, #13 Utica 1 - BOX SCORE

Oswego, N.Y. (12/10/2010) – The nationally-ranked No. 13 Utica College men's hockey team gave host Oswego, the nation's top-ranked team, all it could handle but the Lakers netted the eventual game-winner midway through the second period to earn a 2-1 victory in non conference play in front of 2,607 fans at the Campus Center Ice Arena Friday night.

Freshman goalie Evan Smith (Penticton, British Columbia/Calgary Royals (AJHL)) stopped 30 shots in net for Utica as the Pioneers (8-4) snapped a three game winning streak. Utica returns to the friendly confines of the Utica Memorial Auditorium Saturday night for its annual New York Sash Teddy Bear Toss. The Pioneers will take on Buffalo State and the puck is scheduled to drop at 7 p.m. Fans who bring a stuffed animal to the game will receive free admission and after the Pioneers score their first goal fans can throw their stuffed animals out onto the ice for collection by the players. The stuffed animals will be donated to local charities for distribution throughout the Mohawk Valley during the holiday season.

Oswego got on the board first Friday night when Jon Whitelaw tallied his fifth goal of the season just 1:11 into the first period of play to give the hosts an early 1-0 advantage.

Freshman first line forward Chris Santiago (Langley, British Columbia/Surrey Eagles (BCHL)) made a game of it as he netted the Pioneers' lone goal of the contest, his fourth of the season, 3:58 into the second period to knot the score at 1-1. Just over ten minutes later Oswego's Justin Fox netted the eventual game-winner and both teams were held scoreless in the third period as the undefeated Lakers (12-0) earn the one goal victory.

Oswego earned a slim 32-28 shot advantage on the evening and the Lakers netted the lone power-play goal of the game in the second period. Oswego goalie Dan Jones stopped 27 shots to earn his first victory of the season.

The Lakers also beat Utica 3-1 earlier in the season and they now hold a 10-3-1 all-time series advantage over the Pioneers. Three of the last four games between the central New York rivals have been decided by one goal, all in favor of the Lakers.

                                                                    --- www.ucpioneers.com ---