Utica, NY – The Utica College men's hockey team netted three second period goals and never looked back on its way to a convincing 5-0 victory over visiting Chatham University in front of a sold out crowd at the 14^thannual New York Sash Teddy Bear Toss on Saturday night at the Adirondack Bank Center.  

After a scoreless first period of play, Utica's Jamie Bucell (Garfield Heights, OH/Philadelphia (EHL)) finished a 3-on-1 charge and scored the coveted goal to ignite the Teddy Bear Toss.  Thousands of stuffed animals rained down to the ice for collection and distribution to local children throughout the holiday season.  Over the course of 14 seasons the Pioneers, in collaboration with New York Sash, have collected over 40,000 stuffed animals for charity. 

The Pioneers have now won three of their last four games and improved to 6-5 overall on the season. Utica is 4-2 on home ice this season and improved to 5-2 overall in conference play.  

Utica's Brett Everson (Mississauga, Ontario/Hawkesbury (CCHL)) and Gregg Burmaster (Clinton, NY/Colorado College (NCHC)) each registered one goal and two assists, while Zach Borsoi (Brossard, Quebec/Gloucester (CCHL)) chipped in with two assists to continue his recent tear. 

Bucell's second period short handed goal gave UC a 1-0 lead and was assisted by Eric Holland (Whitby, ON/Brockville Braves (CCHL)) and Zach Borsoi (Brossard, Quebec/Gloucester (CCHL)). Brett Everson (Mississauga, Ontario/Hawkesbury (CCHL)) then gave the Pioneers a 2-0 lead 5:44 into the second period off assists from Burmaster and Liam Hunter (Norwood, ON/Kemptville 73's (CCHL)). Shawn Lynch (Syracuse, NY/Ottawa Jr. Senators (CCHL)) added a second period tally to put the Pioneers on top 3-0. 

Daniel Fritz (Harwood, MD/Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey)) and Gregg Burmaster (Clinton, NY/Colorado College (NCHC)) each netted a third period goal to lift the Pioneers to a five goal victory. Burmaster now leads the team with 13 points on six goals and seven assists this season. Borsoi ranks second on the team with 12 points and he now has eight points in his last four games. 

Freshman goalie Sean Dickson (Millbrae, CA/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL-Premier)) stopped all 30 shots he faced to pick up his first collegiate shut out and his third win of the season. Ricardo Gonzalez stopped 29 shots in the loss for the Cougars. 

Utica holds a 11-2-1 record all-time in Teddy Bear Toss games, and the Pioneers have won their last four editions since a 2014 1-0 loss to eventual national champion Trinity, which marks the only time Utica has ever been shut out in the event. 

Chatham's record fell to 1-7 overall and 1-5 in UCHC play. The Pioneers will not hit the road for a pair of games next weekend beginning with Wilkes University at 5 p.m. on Friday.