#12 Neumann 2, #7 Utica 1 - Box Score

Ashton, PA (11/19/2011) - The nationally-ranked No. 7 Utica College men's hockey team hit a familiar road block against ECAC Men's West Conference foe Neumann, falling to the Knights for the seventh straight time, 2-1, Saturday night in Ashton, PA.  UC junior assistant captain Evan Chlanda (Islip, NY/Springfield (EJHL)) tied the game up at 1-1 midway through the second period, but the home team answered with the eventual game-winner towards the end of the second stanza.  Both teams were held scoreless in the final 20 minutes of action as the Pioneers snapped a three game winning streak and fell to 5-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play. 

Neumann, which was coming off a 7-4 loss to Manhattanville at home on Friday night, advanced its record to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in conference play.  Elmira (4-2, 4-0) is the only ECAC West team that has not lost a conference game this season.

Utica fell behind 1-0 midway through the first period of play when Andrew Love scored his first goal of the season, past UC sophomore goalie Evan Smith (Penticton, British Columbia/Calgary Royals (AJHL)), to give the Knights the early advantage.  Smith finished the day with 24 saves as his record moved to 2-2 on the year. 

Chlanda's game-tying goal came at 9:18 of the second period off an assist from senior captain Tim Coffman (Elverson, PA/Laconia (AJHL)).  Coffman now leads the team with 12 points on nine assists and three goals through seven games.

With 1:21 left in the second period Neumann was able to punch home the game-winner from the stick of Jeff Bienvenue to give the Knights a slim 2-1 advantage. The Pioneers could only muster four shots in the third period and Neumann goalie Matt Tendler stopped 24-of-25 shots on the day to earn the victory for the Knights.  Both teams were held scoreless on the power-play and Utica only committed one penalty all evening.

Utica will rest for 12 days before taking on host Manhattanville on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. The following day the Pioneers will return home to the friendly confines of the Aud for a non conference meeting against Buffalo State at 6 p.m.

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