UTICA, NY - Another day, another electric offensive performance for the #3 Utica College men's ice hockey team. Fresh off Friday's 12-1 thumping of Arcadia, the Pioneers kept the momentum rolling on Saturday as they dispatched visiting Lebanon Valley by a 9-0 score in a United Collegiate Hockey Conference game at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.
Utica improves to 3-1 with the win, and 2-0 in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference. Over two games this weekend, Utica out-scored opponents 21-1. Lebanon Valley is now 1-3, and 0-2 in the UCHC.
Goaltender Sean Dickson (San Francisco, CA/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL-Premier)) tied a school record with the seventh shutout of his career. The Pioneer netminder turned away all 11 shots he faced to earn the win, and is now tied with assistant coach Adam Dekker and predecessor Gianluca Baggetta for the most all-time at Utica. Dickson already has the single season record, which he set in the Spring.
Dante Zapata (Huntington Beach, CA/Austin Bruins (NAHL)) led UC offensively with four points on two goals and two assists. John Moncovich (Wilmington, NC/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL)) scored two goals for a second straight game, and Mic Curran (Arlington, MA/Curry College (CCC)) had three assists. Regen Cavanagh (Chesapeake, VA/Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)) and Jayson Dobay (Weymouth, MA/Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)) each had a goal and two assists, Brandon Osmundson (Virginia Beach, VA/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL)) and Eric Holland (Whitby, ON/Brockville Braves (CCHL)) recorded a goal and an assist.
Utica out-shot the Dutchmen 50-11. The UC power play was 2-for-5, while Lebanon Valley was scoreless in its only opportunity, which lasted just 1:25.
The Pioneers got right to work in establishing an early lead, as they scored in the first five minutes for a third straight game. At 2:22 of the first, Cavanagh curled around the net and found Eric Holland (Whitby, ON/Brockville Braves (CCHL)) at the goal crease with a pass. Holland re-directed it into the net for a 1-0 lead, and the Pioneers were off and running with the eventual game-winning goal in hand. Moncovich scored at 8:26, and Osmundson rounded out the first period with a power play goal at 10:24.
UC scored four times in the second period to extend their lead, as Cavanagh, Moncovich, and Zapata each scored at even strength to continue their rapid starts to the season, and Dobay scored from the point on the power play for his first goal of the year for a 7-0 lead after two periods.
Larsson and Zapata added third period insurance goals as Utica waltzed away to the win.
The Pioneers will be on the road for the first time this season next weekend. They will visit Chatham on Friday, and Stevenson on Saturday for conference matchups.
