Plattsburgh, NY (1/2/15)- The Utica College men's hockey team saw a two-goal lead slip away as it fought to a 3-3 tie against nationally ranked No. 15 Amherst College Friday afternoon at the Buck Supply Winter Classic, hosted by Plattsburgh State.  The Lord Jeffs won the post game shootout in four rounds to advance to Saturday's Championship game.  The contest will go down in the record column as a tie for both teams as shootouts are not officially recognized in Division III.
 
The Pioneers move to 5-5-3 overall.  They will play the loser between Plattsburgh and New England College on Saturday at 4 p.m.
 
Senior Joel Wetmore (Horseheads, NY/Lindsay (OJHL)) had a hand in all three of the Pioneers tallies as he registered one goal and two assists on the day.
 
After nearly 30 minutes of scoreless action, the Lord Jeffs broke the deadlock as Patrick Mooney was able to beat Utica net minder Dylan Wells (Nashville, TN/Bonnyville (AJHL)) for his first tally of the year.  UC rebounded just three minutes later as sophomore Luc Boby (Chicago, IL/Kalamazoo (NAHL)) found the back of the net for his fourth of the year.  Wetmore and senior captain Mike Baird (Oakville, Ontario/Huntsville (OJHL)) assisted on the play. 
 
The Pioneers took the lead at 15:12 of the second period when junior Nick Miglio (San Antonio, TX/Bismarck (NAHL)) scored his second of the year off assists from Wetmore and Jide Idowu (Copper City, FL/Carleton Place (CCHL)).  Utica extended the lead as Wetmore scored his first of the day and fourth of the season with 3:27 left in the third period to give UC a two-goal lead.  Baird added his second assist of the day.
 
In a last ditch effort, Amherst pulled its goalie and was able to score two goals in the final 1:29 to tie the game.  Neither team was able to score the winner in overtime resulting in the game officially ending in a tie.  The goalies shined in the shootout as neither allowed a goal in the first three attempts.  Amherst's David White was finally able to solve Wells to send the Jeffs to the tournament final. 
 
Wells had 27 saves in the game, while his counterpart, Danny Vitale made 31 stops in the win.   


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