BOX SCORE

Buffalo, N.Y. (12/4/2010) – Sophomore forward Eric Peterson (Newton, NH/Valley (EJHL)) netted two power-play goals as the Utica College men's hockey team knocked off its third straight nationally-ranked opponent after a 4-2 victory over No.15 Buffalo State Saturday night at the Ice Arena. All four of the Pioneers' goals came in the first 30 minutes of the contest as Utica jumped out to an early 4-0 lead.

Utica (8-3), which is off to its best start since the 2005-06 season, has now won three in a row headed into a non conference game at nationally-ranked No. 1 Oswego State next Friday night. The Bengals, who (6-3-2) headed into the evening riding the highs of an eight game unbeaten streak, outshot Utica 33-30 in the contest. Freshman goalie Nick Therrien (Rochester, NH/NY Apple Core (EJHL)) stopped 31 shots en route to his third victory of the season.

Sophomore defenseman Roberts Etts got the Pioneers on the board in the first period when he netted his second goal of the season, off assists from freshmen Steve Zappia (Buffalo, NY/Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJAHL)) and Nick Geraci (Manalapan, NJ/Green Mountain (EJHL)), to give Utica a 1-0 lead 8:51 into the contest.

Utica netted three power-play goals in the second period to seal the victory. Petersons' tallies came just 2:12 apart to give UC a 3-0 lead just over five minutes into the second stanza. Freshman defender Mike Slowikowski (Ewing, NJ/N.J. Hitmen (EJHL)) assisted on Peterson's first goal of the game, while classmates Steve Zappia (Buffalo, NY/Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJAHL)) and Steve Charest (Amqui, Quebec/Walpole Express (AJHL)) assisted on Peterson's eventual game-winner.

Junior captain Tim Coffman (Elverson, PA/Laconia (AJHL)) added an insurance goal, his fifth of the season, at the 9:41 marker of the second. Freshmen Trever Hertz (Jaffray, British Columbia/Quesnel Millionaires (BCHL)) and Doug Marshall (Garnett Valley, PA/N.J. Hitmen (EJHL)) were credited with assists on Coffman's lone goal of the game. Coffman, who leads the team with 17 points this season, has scored at least one point in each of the last four games.

The Bengals mounted a small comeback, netting two goals in the third period, but it proved to be too late as Utica hung on for a two goal victory. Kyle Granville led the way for Buffalo State with one goal and one assist.

Utica was flawless (3-for-3) on the power-play and they currently lead the nation with 18 power-play goals through 11 games.

UC travels to No. 1 Oswego (11-0) Friday at 7 p.m. hoping to knock off the nation's top-ranked team after falling to the Lakers 3-1 at the Aud earlier this year. The Pioneers return home next Saturday for the fifth annual New York SASH Teddy Bear Toss when they meet up with Buffalo State for the second time in three games at 7 p.m. Fans who bring a stuffed animal to the game will receive free admission. After the Pioneers score their first goal fans can throw the stuffed animal out onto the ice for collection and distribution to local charities throughout the holiday season.

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