Utica, NY (1/3/2012) – The nationally-ranked No. 8/8 Utica College men's hockey team returns from a four week break on Friday night when it hosts Slave Regina in a non-conference match up at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.  The Pioneers will turn right back around and take on visiting and nationally-ranked No. 2/2 Oswego State on Saturday night at the Aud.  Both games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Friday Night vs. Salve:  The Pioneers will host the Salve Regina Seahawks (Newport, Rhode Island) for the second consecutive year on Friday night … The Pioneers played the Seahawks for the first time in program-history last year and downed the visitors 12-0 in front of a sold-out crowd during last year's Teddy Bear Toss … The 12-0 win tied the Pioneers largest margin of victory in program-history … In the win, forward Jon Gaffney (Dover, NJ/Springfield Blues (NAHL)) scored all three of his goals in the third period and he led UC with four total points … Ridge Garbutt (Toronto, Ontario/Brewster Academy (NH)), Mike Slowikowski (Ewing, NJ/N.J. Hitmen (EJHL)), George Lotito (Staten Island, NY/NH Jr. Monarchs (EJHL)) and Trever Hertz (Jaffray, British Columbia/Quesnel Millionaires (BCHL)) each recorded three points, while Evan Chlanda (Islip, NY/Springfield (EJHL)), Tim Coffman (Elverson, PA/Laconia (AJHL)), Max White (Sands Point, NY/NY Bobcats (AJHL)), Justin Hogan (Val Therese, Ontario/Brooks Bandits (AJHL)) and Jordan Hobaica (Clinton, NY/Northwood School) each added two points for the Pioneers.

Saturday Night vs. Oswego: The Pioneers will join forces with Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES CORE (Community of Resources & Expertise)  to host the second annual "Bully Proofing Your School Night" on Saturday, Jan. 5th as the Pioneers take on visiting Oswego State …  Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol and a local student will perform the ceremonial puck drop to kick off the evening's festivities … Throughout the game there will be a Bully Proofing Your School "TAKE THE CORE CHALLENGE" banner displayed for all students to sign as a pledge NOT to bully, to get help if you are a victim, and to promote no longer being a bystander in regards to bullying in schools … “Respect Begins When Bullying Ends” posters will be handed out to fans and students to hold up throughout the contest and there will be an informational booth set up for those interested in finding out more about the program. Alongside the informational materials will be promotional items offered through CORE, including sack backpacks. On top of all this, Middle School Madness will perform during an intermission and KISS FM will provide activities for fans.

Last Time Against Oswego: The Pioneers went on the road and topped second-ranked Oswego State, 3-2, in a pivotal non-conference top-ten matchup on Dec. 7, 2012 … UC jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the first period and sealed the victory with a late empty-netter as the Pioneers, winners of three in a row, defeated the Lakers for the fifth time in 16 meetings all-time … Sophomore Peter LaFosse (Merrimack, NH/Kimball Union Academy), classmate Louis Educate and senior Rob Morton (New Hartford, NY/Merrimack (Hockey East)) each netted a goal.

All-Time Against Oswego: The Pioneers hope to improve upon their 5-11 all-time record against Oswego … These two New York Hockey power-houses have played each other seven times in the last three seasons with the Lakers earning a 5-2 advantage in those seven games … The last time UC topped Oswego was at home, 3-2, on Oct. 29, 2011 … UC is 3-5 at the Aud against the Lakers … Neither team has ever been shut out over the course of 16 meetings between the two programs.

Record Breaking Start: Utica headed into break riding the highs of a four game winning streak and it is off to its best start in the 12 year history of the program … Utica has never entered the holiday break with nine victories, but they have posted eight wins before break on three different occasions ('11-'12, 10-'11, '07-'08).

Penalty Kill is Tops in the Country:  Utica's penalty kill unit has squashed 43-of-47 power-play opportunities this year, good for a rate of 91.5%, which is tied with Amherst for the top kill rate in Division III hockey.

Nationally-Ranked: UC currently ranks fourth in the country with an average of 5.00 goals per game and the Pioneers average margin of victory (2.82) is the fifth best in the nation …  The Pioneers nine total wins is tied for 7th in the country.

Educate Light's Up the Stat Sheet: Sophomore forward Louie Educate (Chicago, IL/Aberdeen (NAHL)) is tied for sixth in the nation with an average of 1.73 points per game … He leads the team and the conference with 19 points on nine goals and ten assists … Educate's .82 goals per game is tied for 12th nationally.

Gaffney Keeps it Going: Junior forward Jon Gaffney (Dover, NJ/Springfield Blues (NAHL)) is tied for 30th in the country and ranks second on the team with an average of 1.36 points per contest (eight goals, seven assists). 

Like A Rock: Junior goalie Nick Therrien (Rochester, NH/NY Apple Core (EJHL))'s goals against average of 2.35 ranks 26th nationally … Therrien has a 7-1 overall record and is tied for fifth in the country with a winning % of .875. 

Chlanda Etching His Name in the Record Books: Over the course of three and a half seasons Chlanda has played in 81 career games and he has 82 total points, which ranks third on the College's all-time scoring list … He is an extremely well-balanced offensive player, having totaled 37 goals and 45 assists over the course of his career … He is the Pioneers active scoring leader.

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