Neumann 5, Utica 2 - Box Score

Ashton, Pa. (2/26/11) – The nationally-ranked No. 9 Utica College men's hockey team battled from an early 3-1 deficit against second-seeded Neumann University but the Pioneers gave up two goals in the final 2:37 of play as they lost 5-2 in the semi-finals of the ECAC Men's West Conference Championship Saturday night.

The Pioneers' chances at an NCAA at-large bid would have significantly increased with a win in the conference tournament as their record falls to 17-8-1 on the year (program-best record). Neumann (14-8-5) has now won four straight games and will take on top-seeded and host Elmira College next Saturday at 7 p.m. in the conference championship game. Headed into the evenings contest the Pioneers had lost three regular season games to the Knights.

Freshman forward Jon Gaffney (Dover, NJ/Springfield Blues (NAHL)) got the Pioneers on the board early when he netted an even strength goal 12:05 into the first period of play to put the visitors on top 1-0. Freshman defender Doug Marshall (Garnett Valley, PA/N.J. Hitmen (EJHL)) assisted on the game's opening goal. 

Neumann responded with three consecutive goals to give the Knights a commanding 3-1 lead with 9:10 to go in the second period of play. Jake Kratz scored Neumann's first goal of the game, 4:54 after Gaffney's goal, to knot the score at 1-1 in the first period. 2:19 into the second period Marlon Gardner put the Knights up 2-1 when he scored a power-play goal off assists from Jordan Zalba and D'Lane Sather. The Knights increased their lead to two goals midway through the second period when Zalba added his second point of the evening on the power-play.

Utica freshman forward Trever Hertz (Jaffray, British Columbia/Quesnel Millionaires (BCHL)) cut the Knight's lead to one goal when he scored his 11th goal of the year with 3:28 to go in the second period of play. Josh Schmidt and freshman Chris Santiago (Langley, British Columbia/Surrey Eagles (BCHL)) recorded assists on Hertz's goal.

Both teams were held scoreless in the third period until the Knights broke the game wide open with two goals in the final three minutes of play to seal the victory.

Freshman goalie Evan Smith (Penticton, British Columbia/Calgary Royals (AJHL)), who was recently named to the conference's all-rookie team, stopped 41 shots for the Pioneers. Neumann net minder Ross MacKinnon stopped 27 shots between the pipes for the Knights.

Neumann outshot Utica 46-29 on the evening and held Utica scoreless on the power-play. 

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