ROCHESTER, NY – The Nazareth College men's hockey team jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first two periods and never looked back as it handed visiting Utica College its first ECAC West Conference loss of the season, 4-2, on Friday night.

Utica's record moved to 10-7 overall and it remains atop the Conference standings with a 6-1 ledger in the ECAC West. The Pioneers return home on Saturday when they host Potsdam State at 7 p.m. for Dunkin' Donuts Make-A-Wish Night at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

The Pioneers netted two third period goals, from the sticks of freshman Jarrod Fitzpatrick (Wakefield, MA/Northern Cyclones (EHL)) and junior Mikhail Bushinski (Woodbury, MN/Kenai River (NAHL)), to keep the Golden Flyers within striking distance. Fitzpatrick is now tied for second on the team with seven goals this season, while Bushinski now ranks third on the team with 14 total points.

Easton Powers (South Lyon, MI/Port Huron (NAHL)) earned his fourth assist of the season for the Pioneers as he registered a helper on the Fitzpatrick goal just 28 seconds into the third period of play to cut Utica's deficit to 3-1.

Nazareth got one back on the power-play with less than five minutes to go in the contest to put the Pioneers down 4-1.

Bushinski then made it 4-2 for Utica with 1:23 left in regulation. His fifth goal of the season was assisted by Justin Derlago (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Selkirk (MJHL)) and Anthony McVeigh (Kemptville, Ontario/Carleton Place (CCHL)).

UC freshman goalie Gianluca Baggetta (Maple, Ontario/North York (OJHL)) earned his first collegiate start and stopped 23 shots in the loss. The Pioneers kept the pressure on the Golden Flyers all evening and earned a 40-27 shot advantage.  Utica also won 33-of-57 face-offs in the loss.

Naz goalie Brandon Lane made 38 saves in between the pipes for the Golden Flyers to preserve the two goal victory for the home team. Nazareth's record moved to 6-10-2 overall and 5-2 in conference play.