UTICA, NY - The Utica College men's ice hockey team had its explosive offense slowed on Friday. After prevailing in a wild 6-5 game on Thursday, Utica was held without a goal for the first time in years as the USA Hockey Under-17 national team responded with a 3-0 win inside the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

As with yesterday's contest, this was a preseason exhibition against a non-NCAA opponent and does not count against the team's official records. This was the first loss of any kind in 447 days and 22 appearances for Utica, which currently holds the best active winning streak in all of NCAA Men's Hockey at 20 consecutive games dating back to their last loss on November 23rd, 2019.

The series ends with a 1-1 split with Utica winning the first leg on Thursday. The Pioneers are now 3-2 all-time against the National Team Development Program, and are one of the only Division III programs that can claim a winning record against the Olympic and World Championship team feeder program.  The NTDP gathers together the best players in the nation from their age groups to compete against top level junior, international, and collegiate teams in preparation for higher levels of hockey including the NHL.

Sophomore goaltender Joseph Giacobbo (Deptford, NJ/Rockland Nationals (CCHL)) made his case for playing time with a solid performance in goal for the Pioneers. He stopped 36 of 39 shots on goal against the visitors, who outshot Utica 39-26. Team USA was 1-for-6 on the power play, while Utica finished 0-for-4.

Rookie defenseman Jayson Dobay (Weymouth, MA/Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)) led Utica with four shots on goal. Conor Landrigan (New Tripoli, PA/Binghamton Jr. Sens (NAHL)) and John Moncovich (Wilmington, NC/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL)) had three each.

Team USA received goals this evening from Seamus Casey, Cruz Lucius, and Maddox Fleming. Casey and Fleming finished the series with two goals each. Kaiden Mbereko recorded a 26 save shutout.

The regular season and conference schedule begins for Utica on Friday, February 19th at 6:45 PM as the Pioneers take on Wilkes University. Utica will be home the following day for a 7 p.m. puck drop.