#6 Elmira 3, #13 Utica 1 - Box Score

Utica, N.Y. (11/4/2011) - Visiting Elmira College netted three unanswered goals in the third period to come from behind and earn a 3-1 victory over Utica College in front of 3,801 fans as the Pioneers hosted their AmeriCU 'Pink The Rink' event at the Aud on Saturday night.  Despite losing in their ECAC Men's West Conference opener, the Pioneers were able to raise an estimated $7,000, which will be donated to the Carol M. Baldwin Fund of Central New York to help fight breast cancer. 

“We did not have a ton of great scoring chances tonight and it caught up to us in the third period,” said 11th year Head Coach Gary Heenan. “We had solid goaltending, but we got a few unlucky bounces, and we didn't play as well on the power-play as we would have liked.  Elmira is a very good team and they deserve a lot of credit for sticking with it through 60 full minutes.”

Utica sophomore defender Steve Zappia (Buffalo, NY/Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJAHL)) netted the Pioneers' lone goal of the evening 6:39 into the first period of play when he stuffed home his first goal of the year.  Sophomore Steve Charest (Amqui, Quebec/Walpole Express (AJHL)) and junior Evan Chlanda (Islip, NY/Springfield (EJHL)) assisted on the Pioneers early goal. 

Sophomore goalie Evan Smith (Penticton, British Columbia/Calgary Royals (AJHL)) had a great night, stopping 30 shots, but it was not enough, as the Soaring Eagles outshot the home team 33-24 on the evening. Utica's overall record dropped to 2-1 and the Pioneers are now 0-1 in conference play.  Elmira moved its record to 1-2 overall after losing their first two games of the season to nationally-ranked No. 2 Oswego State. 

Elmira's D'Arcy Oakes netted one goal and added one assist, while defender Joe Gagne scored the game-winner with less than five minutes to play in the contest. After 41 minutes of scoreless play the visitors were able to tie the game up at 1-1 when Oakes deflected a pass high into the air and over the shoulder of UC goalie Evan Smith (Penticton, British Columbia/Calgary Royals (AJHL)).  The goal came as a bit of a surprise to everyone, including Smith who did not even see the puck until it passed the goal line. 

Gagne's game-winner with 4: 38 to came after two crisp passes from Wes Consorti and Oakes.  Gagne's shot was from the point and Smith's vision was blocked by an Elmira skater in front of the net. 

Elmira added an empty net goal with 27 seconds left on the clock to seal the victory.  Jesper Strale connected on the game's final goal off assists from John Clewlow and Kevin Willer.  Darren McDonald earned his first victory of the season by stopping 23 shots in net for the Soaring Eagles. 

Utica will get right back to it on Saturday night when it hosts Saint Michael's College for a non-conference contest at 7 p.m. Elmira remains on the road Saturday when it travels to conference foe Manhattanville for another key conference contest at 7 p.m.

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