UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's hockey team lost to nationally-ranked No. 11 Trinity College 1-0 in the 10^th annual New York Sash Teddy Bear Toss on Friday night.  As the final horn sounded thousands of stuffed animals rained down from the sold out crowd of 3,815 at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.  The stuffed animals were collected and will be distributed to local charities for distribution to children throughout the holiday season.  In the last ten years nearly 25,000 stuffed animals have been collected through the New York Sash Teddy Bear Toss.   

Trinity's Sean Orlando netted what proved to be the game-winner at the 14:10 mark of the first period on the power-play when he slipped the lone goal of the evening past UC goalie Dylan Wells (Nashville, TN/Bonnyville (AJHL)). Michael Flynn and John Hawkrigg each tallied an assist on the Bantam goal.

Trinity goalie Nathaniel Heilbron played lights out in net for the visitors as he stopped all 33 shots he faced in the victory.  Wells made 26 saves between the pipes for the Pioneers.

The Pioneers made a late surge in the contest, despite being down a man at the 12:57 marker, but Heilbron continued his impressive night for the Bantams and fended off any chance of a UC equalizer.

Senior forward Justin Hogan (Val Therese, Ontario/Brooks Bandits (AJHL)) led the Pioneers with five shots on net, including a break away opportunity in the third period that was thwarted by Heilbron.

Utica's record moved to 3-5-2 overall on the year, while the Bantams improved to 5-1-1.   

The Pioneers turn right back around on Saturday when they host Curry College on Dunkin' Donuts Night at the Auditorium for game four of a five game home stand.  The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a $2 Dunkin' Donuts card. Also, two lucky fans will have a chance to compete in intermission activities for a chance to win a Keurig Brewer and K-Cup package, courtesy of Dunkin'.

For the first time ever the Pioneers dawned collector's edition Teddy Bear Toss jersey's, and they will continue to wear them over the course of their next two games on December 6^th and 11^th. The jerseys are being auctioned off over the course of the three games, with all proceeds benefitting local charities. Fans can bid on the jersey's at the auction tables in the concourse throughout the contests. The auction winners will be announced at AMeriCU Credit Union Jersey Night as the Pioneers take on Morrisville on Thursday, December 11.