Pine Valley, NY - The Utica College men's ice hockey team won a third straight game in dominant fashion on Friday. The Pioneers stormed out of the gates with a four goal first period and never glanced back as they rolled past host Elmira for a 7-1 conference win at the Murray Athletic Center in Pine Valley, NY.

The win was the first road victory of the season for Utica, and also marked the third consecutive win at Elmira for Utica. The Pioneers improved to 3-1 overall and in conference, and moved into second place in the standings with a 75 percent points percentage. Elmira stumbled to third, and are 1-1-1 in their first three conference games.

The Pioneers got an impressive outing from sophomore forward Dante Zapata (Huntington Beach, CA/Austin Bruins (NAHL)), who logged four points on two goals and two assists. Captain Conor Landrigan (New Tripoli, PA/Binghamton Jr. Sens (NAHL)) put up points for a 20th straight game, and scored his first goal of the season to go with two assists. Regen Cavanagh (Chesapeake, VA/Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)), Buster Larsson (Bunkeflostrand, Sweden/Syracuse Stars (NCDC)), and Brett Everson (Mississauga, Ontario/Hawkesbury (CCHL)) all continued their strong starts with a goal and an assist apiece. Brendan Schultz (Schaumburg, IL/Topeka (NAHL)) scored his first goal of the season as well for Utica.

In goal, Sean Dickson (Millbrae, CA/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL-Premier)) made 20 saves for a second straight win. Elmira starter Chris Janzen took the loss after allowing five goals on his first twenty chances.

Utica outshot Elmira 33-21. On special teams, the Utica power play was 3-of-6, while Elmira was neutralized at 0-for-4.

The Pioneers cashed in twice on a trio of early penalties to permanently assume control of the game. Just 4:06 into the contest, Brett Everson (Mississauga, Ontario/Hawkesbury (CCHL)) continued his sizzling start to his senior year with his fourth goal of the season. The lead was doubled up 1:37 later when Dante Zapata (Huntington Beach, CA/Austin Bruins (NAHL)) belted home his second goal of the campaign, a goal that would ultimately become the game-winner. Zapata would score again at even strength before the period ended, and Landrigan capped off the first period scoring with a power play tally for his first goal of the year at 15:45 of the frame.

Both sides scored one goal each in the second period, with Schultz canning his first goal of the year, and Elmira's Chance Gorman breaking the shutout before the middle frame was over. Utica went on to score twice more in the third. Cavanagh delivered his first goal of the season, and Buster Larsson (Bunkeflostrand, Sweden/Syracuse Stars (NCDC)) scored at the net front to polish off the scoring on a 7-1 win.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday in Utica. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.