Beverly, MA – The Utica College men's hockey team rallied from a 3-1 third period deficit and tied NCAA quarterfinalist and host Endicott College 3-3 in an exhibition match on Saturday afternoon.  Utica's Justin Derlago (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Selkirk (MJHL)) posted a three point night, including the game-tying goal with 3:28 left in the third period, to help the Pioneers grind out a tie.

It was a matchup of ranked teams from the final D3hockey.com National Poll as the Pioneers closed out their 2016-17 season ranked No.14 and the Gulls finished the year ranked No. 6 in the same poll.

After Endicott delivered the first blow, Utica rookie Conor Landrigan (New Tripoli, PA/Binghamton Jr. Sens (NAHL)) tied the contest up at 1-1 with 2:12 left in the first period off assists from Justin Derlago (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Selkirk (MJHL)) and Roman Ammirato (Williamstown, NJ/Union College (ECAC)). 

Both teams were held scoreless in the second period until Endicott exploded with two goals in the first 7:19 of the third to take a commanding 3-1 lead.

UC's comeback began with 9:30 left in the contest when freshman Brett Everson (Mississauga, Ontario/Hawkesbury (CCHL)) scored off assists from Justin Derlago (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Selkirk (MJHL)) and Jamie Bucell (Garfield Heights, OH/Philadelphia (EHL)) to make it a one goal game.  With under four minute to go Derlago made the magic happen again as he pushed home the game-tying goal at 3:28, unassisted.

UC outshot the Gulls 5-3 in overtime but neither team found the back of the net in the five minute period and the OT horn sounded with the score knotted at 3-3. 

UC goalie Patrik Virtanen (Vantaa, Finland/Lincoln (USHL)) stopped 14 of 15 shots faced in 20:00 of work.  Gianluca Baggetta (Maple, Ontario/North York (OJHL)) stopped all 10 of the shots he faced in the second period, while Henry Dill (Columbus, OH/UMASS (Hockey East)) made 15 saves but also allowed two goals in 25:00 of work.

Local fans will have their first chance to see the newly renovated Auditorium on Friday, October 27th when the Pioneers host Fredonia for season-opening action at 7 p.m. Fans will notice a few changes this season at the home of the Pioneers, arguably the top NCAA Division III hockey facility in the country. For starters, the building took on a new name this offseason as it has been dubbed The Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The facility, which hosted the 2017 NCAA Division III Men's Hockey National Championships, will also feature new luxury suites which are currently in the final stages of construction.

Scoring by Period
                 1       2       3    OT    Final
Endicott      1      0       2     0       3
Utica          1      0        2     0       3
 
Scoring: 
1st Period - Endicott 13:28 John Carricato from Alex Marcineck, 1-0
1st Period - Utica 2:12 Conor Landrigan (New Tripoli, PA/Binghamton Jr. Sens (NAHL)) from Justin Derlago (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Selkirk (MJHL)) and Roman Ammirato (Williamstown, NJ/Union College (ECAC)), 1-1 
3rd Period - Endicott 18:41 Jack Kilty from Nick Petrella and Josh Bowes, 2-1
3rd Period - Endicott 12:41 Nick Petrella from Jack Kilty, 3-1
3rd Period Utica 9:30 Brett Everson (Mississauga, Ontario/Hawkesbury (CCHL)) from Justin Derlago (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Selkirk (MJHL)) and Jamie Bucell (Garfield Heights, OH/Philadelphia (EHL)), 3-2
3rd Period - Utica 3:28 Justin Derlago (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Selkirk (MJHL)) - unassisted 3-3

Shots by period
                 1       2       3    OT    Final
Endicott     15     10     14    3       42
Utica          8       5      14    5       32

Goalies
Endicott: Mark Specia 31:15 / 10 saves, Kevin Aldridge 34:45 / 19 saves
Utica: 1st Period: Patrik Virtanen (Vantaa, Finland/Lincoln (USHL)) 20:00 / 14 saves, 2nd Period: Gianluca Baggetta (Maple, Ontario/North York (OJHL)) 20:00 / 10 saves, 3rd Period & OT: Henry Dill (Columbus, OH/UMASS (Hockey East)) 25:00 / 15 saves