UTICA, NY- Freshman Dante Zapata (Huntington Beach, CA/Austin Bruins (NAHL)) scored just 61 seconds into the game to send more than 4,000 stuffed animals flying onto the ice as the nationally ranked No. 11 Utica College men's hockey team topped Morrisville State 4-1 in front of a sold out crowd Saturday evening for the 15^th annual New York Sash Teddy Bear Toss.
 
61 seconds is the quickest the coveted Teddy bear Toss goal has even been scored in the event's 15-year history at UC.  The Pioneers along with New York Sash have now collected over 45,000 stuffed animals from the cause over the last 15 years to donate to local families throughout the holiday season.
 
With the win, the Pioneers improve to 7-2-2 on the year.  They will enjoy a three-week break before traveling to Adrian College for a non-conference series on Jan. 4 and 5. 
 
Zapata's fourth goal of the season was assisted by John Moncovich (Wilmington, NC/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL)) and Daniel Fritz (Harwood, MD/Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey)). 
 
Utica added another tally, this time with just 8 seconds remaining in the opening period as Nick Yzaguirre (Chicago, IL/Charlotte Rush (USPHL-Premier)) netted a short-handed tally to give UC a 2-0 lead.  Jarrod Fitzpatrick (Wakefield, MA/Northern Cyclones (EHL)) and Justin Allen (Rochester, NY/Rochester Monarchs (USPHL-NCDC)) were credited with assists on Yzaguirre's second of the year.
 
Morrisville was finally able to get on the board just over the halfway point of the second period as James Boisvert rifled a shot from the point that found its way into the top right corner for his first of the season.  Nick DeVito and Ben Sprague assisted on the powerplay tally.
 
Utica used a pair of goals just 1:04 apart in the third period to solidify the win.  Moncovich netted one of his own, while junior transfer Donovan Ott (Lebanon, PA/Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (ECAC Hockey)) put the exclamation mark on the evening with his fifth of the year.  Zapata, Allen, Dylan Rallis (Minneapolis, MN/Syracuse Stars (NCDC)), and Regen Cavanagh (Chesapeake, VA/Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)) each picked up one assist in the final frame.
 
Freshman Joseph Giacobbo (Deptford, NJ/Rockland Nationals (CCHL)) made 17 saves in net to improve to 2-0 on the year.  His counterpart, Jared Young, meanwhile finished with 27 saves in the loss.