Neumann 5, #7 Utica 1 - Box Score

Ashton, Pa. (2/11/2011) - The nationally-ranked No. 7 Utica College men's hockey team snapped a four game winning streak after a 5-1 loss at Neumann University Friday night. The Pioneers gave up two first period goals and three third period goals on their way to falling to 17-6 overall and 6-4 in the ECAC Men's West Conference.

“We failed to come out with a spark on the road again but managed to make it a game with a hard second period,” said Head Coach Gary Heenan. “Our power play has gone cold and that's what made the difference.”

The Pioneers outshot the Knights 13-6 in the second period as freshman forward George Lotito (Staten Island, NY/NH Jr. Monarchs (EJHL)) scored the Pioneers lone goal of the contest with 4:07 to go in the second stanza. Senior assistant captain Sean Timkey (Rochester, NY/Capital District (EJHL)) assisted on Lotito's third goal of the season.

The Pioneers went 0-for-4 on the power-play and were outshot 29-23 on the evening. Freshman goalie Nick Therrien (Rochester, NH/NY Apple Core (EJHL)) stopped 24 shots in his fourth loss of the season for Utica.

Neumann, which was 0-2-2 in its last four games, improved to 11-7-5 overall and 5-4-1 in the ECAC West. Michael Rey netted two third period goals to seal the victory for the Knights. Steve Gervais totaled three points on one goal and two assists, while Jordan Zalba added two assists.

UC returns to the ice for game two of a weekend set at Neumann on Saturday night at 7 p.m. The Pioneers hope to avoid the season sweep at the hands of the Knights, who also knocked off UC 5-4 at the Aud on Nov. 19th.

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