UTICA, NY- The nationally ranked No. 3 and top-seeded Utica College men's hockey team used a three-goal third period to down visiting Nazareth College 3-2 in the second game of the UCHC semifinal series. 
 
With the win, Utica advances to the UCHC Championship next weekend at the Adirondack Bank Center on Friday and Saturday.  Game times are scheduled for 7 p.m. both days.  This marks the fifth consecutive year that the Pioneers have advanced to the conference title game.
 
Utica improves to 23-2-2 on the year, extending its program record for wins in a season, and stretches its winning streak to 18 games, also a program-best.
 
Despite outshooting the Golden Flyers 9-5 in the first period, Utica had little to show for it as the teams went into the locker room tied 0-0 after the first 20 minutes.
 
The Pioneers broke the deadlock at 11:50 of the second when Donovan Ott (Lebanon, PA/Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (ECAC Hockey)) sent a centering feed towards the top of the crease that deflected off a Nazareth defender and in for his 11^th of the season.  Conor Landrigan (New Tripoli, PA/Binghamton Jr. Sens (NAHL)) and Dante Zapata (Huntington Beach, CA/Austin Bruins (NAHL)) picked up assists on the power play tally.
 
UC extended its lead just two minutes later as Cameron Bartkoski's (Dallas, TX/Amarillo Bulls (NAHL)) shot from the point found its way through traffic and in for his fifth of the season.  Eric Holland (Whitby, ON/Brockville Braves (CCHL)) and Jarrod Fitzpatrick (Wakefield, MA/Northern Cyclones (EHL)) were credited with assists on the insurance tally.
 
Vaden McManus (Fayetteville, NC/Hampton Roads (USPHL)) netted the eventual game-winner with 1:47 remaining in the second stanza as he took a feed from Tyler Dill (South Lake Tahoe, CA/Charlotte Rush (USPHL-Premier)) and skated down the right hand side.  Just before the goal line, McManus roofed a shot that found its way under the crossbar for his third of the year.  Senior Daniel Fritz (Harwood, MD/Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey)) was also credited with an assist on the play, marking his 27^th helper of the season.
 
Naz threatened with goals by Casey Kubara and James McDonald in the third period, but the Pioneer defense held strong to ensure the win.
 
Senior Gianluca Baggetta (Maple, Ontario/North York (OJHL)) finished with 15 saves for his 17^th win this year, while his counterpart, Michael Tilford had 30 saves in the loss.