UTICA, NY - The Utica College men's ice hockey team couldn't find the fortune it needed in Sunday's game against Adrian. Armed with a 3-1 lead, the Pioneers conceded two power play goals in the latter stages of the second period, and Adrian's Chase Spencer snuck in a shot from long range with 1:37 left to lift the visiting Bulldogs to a 4-3 non-conference win at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.
Utica falls to 1-1, while Adrian improves to the same record with the two sides splitting the series.
A two-goal outing for junior Brandon Osmundson (Virginia Beach, VA/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL)) paved the way for Utica, while Eric Holland (Whitby, ON/Brockville Braves (CCHL)) scored his first goal since the 2019-20 season for the Pioneers. Mic Curran (Arlington, MA/Curry College (CCC)) had two assists, while John Moncovich (Wilmington, NC/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL)) and Louis-Felix St. Jean (Montreal, Quebec/Salve Regina (CCC)) had one apiece. St. Jean made 15 saves in the loss.
Four different players scored for the Bulldogs, highlighted by a one-goal, two assist performance from transfer forward Ty Enns. Ryan Pitoscia, Hunter Wendt, and Spencer also had goals. Dershahn Stewart made 35 saves to get the win for the visitors.
The Pioneers out-shot the Bulldogs 38-19. Special teams played a key role with Adrian going 2-for-5 against Utica's 1-for-7. Faceoffs favored Adrian by a 30-29 margin.
It didn't take long for the Pioneers to get on the board, as Brandon Osmundson (Virginia Beach, VA/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL)) capped a well-executed line rush with a goal just 1:19 into the contest. Pitoscia answered back for Adrian, as he tapped in a loose puck at 7:24 to knot the score.
However, Utica would have the last word and a 2-1 lead heading out of the first on a strong end-to-end play. Curran made an exceptional play up the boards to find Holland streaking down the left wing, and Holland cut to the middle and roofed the puck behind Stewart for the advantage after one period.
The second period belonged to the special teams, as all three goals came on the power play. Osmundson netted his second for a 3-1 lead at 7:11, with Curran picking up the assist. The game changed entirely on a penalty call against Brett Everson (Mississauga, Ontario/Hawkesbury (CCHL)) for diving, which was a hotly contested ruling. Moments after Everson went to the box, Wendt deflected a one-time shot by Enns to pull Adrian within a goal. 1:25 later, it was Enns' opportunity to deliver as his one-timer went behind St. Jean to tie the game through two periods.
Utica dominated the third period with a 14-5 advantage in shots and a rash of quality chances, but in the end, Adrian caught the break it needed. Spencer unleashed a seemingly harmless shot from the right wing boards that crept past St. Jean and in, and the Bulldogs weathered the extra attacker storm to preserve a 4-3 win.
Utica will host newcomer Arcadia in its UCHC opener on Friday, November 5th. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m.
