UTICA, NY — The nationally-ranked No. 7/7 Utica College men's hockey team is back in action at home for First Source Federal Credit Union Night on Friday as the Pioneers take on the visiting Lions of Bryn Athyn College at 7 p.m.. Utica will then hit the road on Saturday to take on Elmira College in United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) action at 7 p.m.

First Source Night: First Source is a proud sponsor of Utica College athletics. First Source is giving away hand clapping noise maker gloves at the door for Friday's attendee.
 
Last Time Out: Last Saturday, the Pioneers took on nationally-ranked No. 5 Oswego and skated to a 3-3 tie in a battle of top ten opponents. Utica took an early 1-0 lead when Daniel Fritz (Harwood, MD/Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey)) rifles home a power play goal, assisted by Zach Borsoi (Brossard, Quebec/Gloucester (CCHL)) and Kyle Lajeunesse (South Berwick, ME/New Hampshire (EHL)), in the first period. With the score tied 2-2 late in the game, senior Roman Ammirato (Williamstown, NJ/Union College (ECAC)) slapped a rebound out of midair and into the back of the net to give UC the lead. Oswego answered back with a goal from Mitchell Herlihey with under a minute left in regulation to secure the 3-3 tie. Utica goalie Patrik Virtanen (Vantaa, Finland/Lincoln (USHL)) finished the night with 31 stops in the tie.
 
Still On Top: Utica currently holds a 13-3-1 record overall and 7-2 ledger in UCHC play which is good enough for the number one spot in the conference thus far.
 
National Recognition: Utica is ranked in the top ten of both national polls. The Pioneers remained at No. 7 in the d3hockey.com poll and also jumped two spots to No. 7 in the latest USHCO.com National Poll.

National Team of the Week Pick: Senior defenseman Dalton Carter (Toledo, OH/Northern Cyclones (EHL)) was named to the D3hockey.com National Team of the Week on Tuesday. Carter has made significant contributions inside the offensive blue line this season and his 21 points are good enough for second on the team. His average of 1.31 points per game ranks him 34th in the national statistics and third among defensemen. He is also in the top 25 for assists per game (0.88).

UCHC Goalie of the Week: Utica's Patrik Virtanen (Vantaa, Finland/Lincoln (USHL)) was named the UCHC Goalie fot he Week for the second time this season on Tuesday. He currently holds a record of 9-2-1 this season and leads UC with 330 saves. He has a save percentage of .930 which ranks him 18th nationally. Virtanen also has the 11th best winning percentage in the country (.792).

Ammirato Still on a Tear: Senior forward Roman Ammirato (Williamstown, NJ/Union College (ECAC)) currently leads the team with 15 goals this season. He also has 10 assists which gives him a team-best 25 points. His average of 1.47 points per game ranks 12th nationally. Ammirato is also third in the national rankings in goals per game (0.88) and first in power play goals per game (0.47).
 
Stepping Up: Junior Gregg Burmaster (Clinton, NY/Colorado College (NCHC)) has stepped up his level of play as the regular season starts to wind down. Over the last three games Burmaster has scored four points, assisting or scoring in each game. He currently has seven goals and five assists for a total of 12 points on the season.

Down the Stretch We Come: After this weekend the Pioneers have six conference games left on the regular season docket.  UC will host a pair of UCHC contests next weekend against Chatham and Lebanon Valley.