ELMIRA, NY- The Utica College men's hockey team picked up three key points in the UCHC standings Tuesday as it earned a thrilling 7-5 win over Elmira College in the continuation of a game from March 6 that was suspended after the second period due to COVID-19 protocols.
 
With the win, the Pioneers (6-1, 6-1 UCHC) took a major step in winning their fourth straight United Collegiate Hockey Conference regular season title.  Utica can clinch the regular season crown and the Tournament's top seed with a regulation win in their regular season finale Saturday at Neumann University.  Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.
 
Utica carried a 5-2 lead into the final period of play behind two goals each from Jamie Bucell (Garfield Heights, OH/Philadelphia (EHL)) and Conor Landrigan (New Tripoli, PA/Binghamton Jr. Sens (NAHL)).  Landrigan also added an assist on Bucell's second goal to mark the 100^th point for his career.  He is just the fourth player in program history to reach the 100-point mark for his career.
 
Despite facing a three-goal deficit, the Soaring Eagles came out flying at the start on the third period, quickly erasing the Utica lead.  Elmira netted three goals in the first 4:09 of the period, including two off the stick of Bailey Krawczyk to even the score at 5-5. 
 
Utica netted the crucial go-ahead tally with 5:59 remaining in regulation as Bucell once again found the back of the net for his first career hat trick.  Brett Everson (Mississauga, Ontario/Hawkesbury (CCHL)) and Buster Larsson (Bunkeflostrand, Sweden/Syracuse Stars (NCDC)) registered assists on the power play tally. Utica put the exclamation point on the game as Everson put in an empty netter with just four seconds remaining to come away with the win.
 
John Moncovich (Wilmington, NC/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL)) had UC's other goal and Larsson, Jayson Dobay (Weymouth, MA/Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)) and Brandon Osmundson (Chesapeake, VA/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL)) each finished with two assists.  Joseph Giacobbo (Deptford, NJ/Rockland Nationals (CCHL)) and Sean Dickson (Millbrae, CA/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL-Premier)) combined for 22 saves in net for Utica, while Chris Janzen finished with 33 saves for Elmira.