Utica, NY - The Utica College women's ice hockey team will host Chatham University Saturday night at the Whitestown Community Center following the 2011 Bob Mercurio Extreme Freeze Mite Tournament. The Pioneers are teaming up with the local Youth Hockey Association in hopes of a fun and eventful evening for players, parents and fans of the local community.

The puck is scheduled to drop at 7 p.m. and admission is free for all. The first 50 fans under the age of 12 will receive a FREE “Cinch Sack” (back pack). In between periods, the Pioneers will host fan competitions and free food giveaways. Prizes will include game-jerseys, hats, and sweatshirts. 75% of the giveaways will go to participants of the mite tournament.

UC currently controls its own destiny in regards to extending into the post-season for the tenth consecutive season. The Pioneers are 10-10 overall including a 6-8 mark in the ECAC Women's West Conference. The top six teams in the conference get a bid to the conference tournament and presently UC is in sixth place with 12 points. The Pioneers need five points to secure a spot in the tournament and they have four games remaining.

Following the weekend set against Chatham, UC will travel to nationally ranked No.3 Plattsburgh for two-games to close out the regular season. On Saturday, Feb. 19, the puck is scheduled to drop at 7 p.m. while Sunday, Feb. 20 the game is scheduled for 3 p.m. The Cardinals are currently 15-2-3 overall as well as 11-1-2 in conference play. The Pioneers were 0-2-1 against Plattsburgh last season, including a 5-2 loss, in the semifinals of the conference tournament, on Mar. 6 in Plattsburgh.