UTICA, NY - In one of the nation's biggest Thanksgiving weekend matchups, the No. 12 Utica College men's ice hockey team delivered an outstanding performance worthy of the occasion to win the championship of the Delta Hotels Thanksgiving Showcase. The Pioneers scored the first four goals of the game, and kept visiting No. 7 Salve Regina in the rear view mirror the rest of the way as they cruised to a 5-1 victory over the previously unbeaten Seahawks at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

The Pioneers delivered the most complete home performance of the season on home ice to win their second all-time title in their home thanksgiving tournament in two tries. The last edition of the tournament was held in 2015. Utica is now 5-1-2 in its first eight games and has won back-to-back contests. Salve Regina falls to 8-1 with its first loss of the season.

The Pioneers out-shot the Seahawks 47-23 in the win. Utica had over 40 shots on goal in both games of the tournament this weekend, and a 47 shot effort is a new season high for the Pioneers. Utica was 0-for-7 on the power play, but kept the Seahawks silent at 0-for-5.

A balanced effort ruled the roost for the Utica offense as the Pioneers hit the five goal mark for a third time this season. Ten of the team's nineteen dressed skaters had a point in the matchup. Freshman Brandon Osmundson (Chesapeake, VA/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL)) had a three point night on two goals and an assist, and continues to lead the nation in points per game by a freshman. Dante Zapata (Huntington Beach, CA/Austin Bruins (NAHL)) and Jamie Bucell (Garfield Heights, OH/Philadelphia (EHL)) each had a goal and an assist, and Donovan Ott (Lebanon, PA/Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (ECAC Hockey)) also had a goal and assist on the way to being named the MVP of the tournament. Sophomore defenseman Cameron Bartkoski (Dallas, TX/Amarillo Bulls (NAHL)) scored his first collegiate goal in the 22nd game of his career.

Utica goaltender Sean Dickson (Millbrae, CA/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL-Premier)) stopped 22 of 23 shots, and commanded the crease all night en route to his second win of the season.

Salve starting goaltender Louis-Felix St. Jean gave up three goals on the first nineteen shots of the game as he took his first career loss. Tony Rehm thwarted 26 of 28 shots in relief. The lone Salve goal was scored by Cayden Kraus.

The Pioneers played crisp defense, transitioned the puck well, and worked effectively in the offensive zone to dominate time of possession in the first period en route to a 17-6 shots on goal advantage and a 2-0 lead. The Pioneers struck twice in just a 30 second span to fortify their lead. Bartkoski scored his first career goal at 3:43, and that was quickly followed by Zapata's third goal of the year at 4:13.

The advantage grew further in the second period as the Pioneers turned in another strong frame. Osmundson tripled the Pioneer lead just 2:25 into the second period as he redirected a shot behind St. Jean to chase the Salve netminder from the contest. Tyler Dill (South Lake Tahoe, CA/Charlotte Rush (USPHL-Premier)) and Ott had the assists. Exactly three minutes later, Ott delivered a brilliant goal of his own as he took apart a Salve defender at the blue line in a one-on-one situation, then turned the puck to the net and picked a near-perfect corner to beat Rehm and put Utica up 4-0. Salve scored on an odd-man rush before the end of the period, and Utica enjoyed a 4-1 advantage through 40 minutes.

The Pioneers got another sharp goal in the third period to finish off the scoring. Dante Zapata (Huntington Beach, CA/Austin Bruins (NAHL)) hunted down a loose puck in the left wing circle, and tapped it into the slot to a waiting Jamie Bucell (Garfield Heights, OH/Philadelphia (EHL)). Bucell dangled the puck sharply to the left to get Rehm to pursue, then slipped it past the netminder in front of the left post for a 5-1 final score. Utica enjoyed the luxury of three third period power plays, including a five minute opportunity, to help wind out the clock on Salve's unbeaten start.

With the Utica win over Salve, just two undefeated teams remain in the nation at the end of November.

The Pioneers return to action on the road next weekend as they battle UCHC rivals Chatham and Stevenson. They return home on Saturday, December 14th for the 15th annual New York SASH Teddy Bear Toss.

Delta Hotels Thanksgiving Showcase All-Tournament Team
Forward John McLean, Salve
Forward Brandon Osmundson (Chesapeake, VA/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL)), Utica
Forward Danny Eruzione, Salve
Defense Joey Rutkowski (Rome, NY/Smiths Falls Bears (CCHL)), Utica
Defense Matthew Dillon, Salve
Goalie Sean Dickson (Millbrae, CA/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL-Premier)), Utica
MVP Donovan Ott (Lebanon, PA/Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (ECAC Hockey)), Utica