UTICA, NY – The nationally-ranked No. 8/10 Utica College men's hockey team netted three third period goals on its way to a 4-1 victory on the road at Morrisville Friday night. The Pioneers return home on Saturday for game one of a four game home stand as they take on visiting SUNY Potsdam at the Adirondack Bank Center at 7 p.m.

Utica seniors Anthony McVeigh (Kemptville, Ontario/Carleton Place (CCHL)) and Kevin Valenti (Queensbury, NY/Northern Cyclones (EHL)) each recorded one goal and one assist on the evening to pace the Pioneers. UC, on the heels of a 5-4 come from behind exhibition victory against the U.S. National Under-18 Team last weekend, has now won eight of its last nine contests and improved to 11-3 overall on the season. Utica remains in the driver's seat in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) with 12 points and a 6-2 league record.
 
UC entered the third period with a 1-0 lead against the Mustangs courtesy of a first period tally from senior forward Anthony McVeigh (Kemptville, Ontario/Carleton Place (CCHL)), just 3:25 into the contest. Freshman Conor Landrigan (New Tripoli, PA/Binghamton Jr. Sens (NAHL)) assisted on McVeigh's fifth goal of the season.

After a scoreless second period, Valenti got the Pioneers going early in the third period as he netted his fourth of the year just 2:20 into the final 20 minutes of action. Gregg Burmaster (Clinton, NY/Colorado College (NCHC)) assisted on Valenti's goal to give the Pioneers a 2-0 lead.

Just over five minutes later the Pioneers took advantage of a power-play to push their advantage to three goals at 7:46. Ammirato netted the power-play goal, his team-best 12^th of the year, off assists from Valenti and senior Dalton Carter (Toledo, OH/Northern Cyclones (EHL)).

The Mustangs, who are coached by former Pioneer Kevin Krogel, spoiled Patrik Virtanen (Vantaa, Finland/Lincoln (USHL))'s shutout with 1:18 left in regulation when they netted a short-handed goal by Ryan Bochert to make it 3-1.

The Pioneers kept the pressure on and sealed the victory with an insurance goal from freshman Brett Everson (Mississauga, Ontario/Hawkesbury (CCHL)) with 11 seconds to go in the contest to make it a 4-1 game. McVeigh and Kyle Lajeunesse (South Berwick, ME/New Hampshire (EHL)) each posted an assist on the final goal of the contest.

Virtanen posted his seventh win of the season as he stopped 21 shots on the night. Mustang goalie Jared Young made 43 saves as the Pioneers outshot Morrisville 47-22.

Utica went 1-for-4 on the power-play and outshot the home team 22-3 in the third period of play.

Ammirato now has 19 points this season on 12 goals and seven assists, while Carter ranks second on the team with 17 points (six goals 11 assists).