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Utica, N.Y. (1/20/2011) – The nationally ranked No. 10 Utica College men's hockey team (13-4, 2-2 ECAC West) travels to Elmira College (9-5-3, 3-2 ECAC West) Friday for an ECAC West showdown. This is the second of three meetings between the teams. The Pioneers did not fare well against the Soaring Eagles in their first matchup, losing 6-0 on Nov. 6, 2010. Despite the national ranking and record comparison, the Soaring Eagles still hold the top slot in the conference with a 3-2 record in ECAC West play.

Utica is currently enjoying a five game win streak and has won eight of its last nine games. Their only loss during that stretch was to nationally-ranked No. 1 Oswego, by a score of 2-1. UC is outscoring its opponents by an average scoring margin of 2.35 goals (second nationally).

Last weekend the Pioneers completed a weekend sweep on the road at Suffolk and Wentworth, outscoring their opponents 10-2.

Junior captain Tim Coffman (Elverson, PA/Laconia (AJHL)) will lead the Pioneers and he ranks 13th nationally with 26 points. He also ranks seventh in the country with an average of 1.12 assists per game. Freshman Jon Gaffney (Dover, NJ/Springfield Blues (NAHL)) is averaging 1.19 points per contest – good for seventh nationally among rookies.

Freshman goalie Evan Smith (Penticton, British Columbia/Calgary Royals (AJHL)) ranks eighth nationally, allowing just 1.99 goals per contest and classmate Nick Therrien (Rochester, NH/NY Apple Core (EJHL)) has a .923 save percentage which ranks him in the top 20 in all Division III men's hockey.

UC's scoring offense is averaging 4.36 goals per contest and its 74 total goals leads the entire nation. The defensive unit is allowing just 2.00 goals per game.

The Pioneers 11-2 non-conference record tied the college's single season record for non-conference victories. Utica needs three victories over the course of its next eight games to tie the school record for wins in a single-season set during the 2004-05 schedule (16-5-6).

The Pioneers are 8-13-3 against Elmira all-time. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7 p.m.

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