UTICA, NY- The nationally ranked No. 8/9 Utica College men's hockey team hits the road for two UCHC games this weekend. The Pioneers will face Stevenson University in Maryland on Friday (7 p.m.) before traveling to Neumann University in Pennsylvania on Saturday (7 p.m.).

Live Video : Live video for Friday's game is provided by Stevenson Mustang Athletics: http://www.gomustangsports.com/sports/mice/2017-18/livevideo/20180209
Live Video for Saturday's game is provided by Neumann Athletics: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/neumann/

Staying Hot: The Pioneers are 16-4-1 overall and 9-3 in conference games. Utica ranks second nationally in scoring margin (2.76) and averages 4.62 goals per game. The Pioneers have only allowed their opponents to score an average of 1.86 goals per game. They also currently have a two game unbeaten streak and have won five out of their last seven contests.

Previous Meetings: Earlier this season the Pioneers defeated both Stevenson and Neumann at home. On Dec. 8, Utica won 2-1 in overtime against the Mustangs with a game-winning goal by sophomore right-wing Jacob Gerson (Colorado Springs, CO/Hampton Roads (USPHL)). In the Teddy Bear Toss game on Dec. 9, Roman Ammirato (Williamstown, NJ/Union College (ECAC)) led the Pioneers to a 9-1 victory over the Knights with two goals.

Conference Standings: Utica is currently tied with Lebanon Valley and Stevenson for first in the UCHC with 18 points. However, both Stevenson (7-2-4) and Lebanon Valley (8-3-2) have each played one more conference game than the Pioneers.

National Polls: Utica moved up one spot to No. 9 in the most recent USCHO.com national poll. The Pioneers remain No. 8 for the second straight week in the most recent D3hockey.com national poll.

Scoring Offense: The Pioneers are nationally ranked third in scoring offense with 97 goals this season (4.62 goals per game).  Roman Ammirato (Williamstown, NJ/Union College (ECAC)) is the big contributor on offense as he ranks sixth in the nation in goals per game with 0.81. Utica's power-play unit also ranks second nationally (28.2 percent), and Ammirato is tied for second in the country with nine power play goals.

Scoring Defense: The Pioneers are nationally ranked fifth in scoring defense, having allowed just 39 goals (1.86 goals per game). Dalton Carter (Toledo, OH/Northern Cyclones (EHL)) leads all of division III with an average of 1.40 points per game among defensemen.

Solid Goaltending: Sophomore goalie Patrik Virtanen (Vantaa, Finland/Lincoln (USHL)) has a 9-3-1 overall record and a 2.24 goals against average this season. Sophomore Gianluca Baggetta (Maple, Ontario/North York (OJHL)) allowed two goals and stopped 18 shots in a 5-2 win over Lebanon Valley on Sunday. Baggetta is 5-0-0 this season with a 1.00 goals against average to go along with two shut outs.

UCHC Honors: Senior right-wing Kyle Lajeunesse (South Berwick, ME/New Hampshire (EHL)) was named UCHC Men's Hockey Player of the Week after a four-point performance last weekend. He scored two goals and had one assist in Saturday's win over Chatham. On Sunday, he scored one goal in the win over Lebanon Valley. Lajeunesse has 11 points this season with four goals and seven assists.

Meet Stevenson University: The Mustangs are 9-6-7 this season with a 7-2-4 UCHC record. They currently have a five-game unbeaten streak with three wins and two ties. The Mustangs faced Elmira on Saturday and the game ended in a 2-2 overtime tie.

Meet Neumann University: The Knights are 7-13-2 this season with a 6-5-2 UCHC record. They recently defeated Bryn Athyn College last Saturday, 6-4. The Knights will host Nazareth on Friday before facing Utica on Saturday.