WILKES BARRE, Pa. - The #4 Utica University men's ice hockey team wasted little time making its case for a weekend sweep on Sunday. The Pioneers powered out of the gate with three goals in the first period, and added two more to seal the deal in the third as they topped UCHC foe Wilkes by a 5-1 score at the Toyota SportsPlex at Coal Street.

The win improves the Pioneers' record to 6-0-2 overall, and a 5-0-1 mark in conference play. They have won five in a row since a tie against Stevenson on November 3rd. They depart the weekend with a one point lead in the conference standings over second place Alvernia. 

Wilkes falls to 4-3-0 overall, and 2-2 in conference. Utica's sweep this weekend halted a four game win streak for the Colonels heading in. 

The Pioneers held a 29-23 advantage in shots on goal, and added leverage on the scoreboard in a variety of situations. The Pioneers netted a power play and shorthanded tally in the game in addition to three even strength goals. Utica was 1-for-5 with the man advantage while holding Wilkes to an 0-for-4 clip.

Aidan Hughes had the first multi-goal game of his college career to set the pace for the Pioneers. He scored both of the team's special teams goals. Dante Spagnuolo (Newmarket, ON/Adrian College (NCAA DIII)) and Alexander Gullichsen (Turku, Finland/Aberdeen Wings (NAHL)) scored the first goals of their Utica careers, with Gullichsen's also counting as his first NCAA goal. Spagnuolo added an assist for a multi-point outing. Brian Scoville (Agawam, MA/Alabama-Huntsville (NCAA DI)) extended his point streak to four games with his fourth goal of the season. Matt Wood (Garnet Valley, PA/Richmond Generals (USPHL)) added two assists to the Pioneer effort, while defenseman Preston Brighton (Castle Rock, CO/Amarillo Wranglers (NAHL)) assisted on a first period goal for his first NCAA point. Khristian Acosta (Port Monmouth, NJ/Mercyhurst University (NCAA DI)) now has a five game point streak after logging an assist, while Jakob Breault (Acton Vale, QC/Alaska-Fairbanks (NCAA DI)) and Griffen Barr (Nanaimo, BC/Vernon Vipers (BCHL)) each tacked on a helper of their own.

Nick Swain scored the lone goal of the weekend for Wilkes.

In net, Bryan Landsberger (Montreal, Quebec/Nepean Raiders (CCHL)) made 22 saves to get the win in his first start of the season. Wilkes netminder Jack Perna stopped 24 shots in the loss. 

The Pioneers jumped on the gas pedal to pull away in the first period with a three goal frame. Gullichsen opened the scoring with an unassisted goal at 2:34, Spagnuolo netted his maiden Pioneer goal at 6:11, and Hughes scored shorthanded to round out the period at 3-0.

Swain's second period goal tightened the score ever so slightly, but the Pioneers saw fit to turn up the heat in the final stanza. Hughes landed his power play marker early in the third, and Scoville added the finishing touch at 16:02 to secure a four goal win.

The Pioneers swept their four game road trip and return home for the Delta Hotels Thanksgiving Showcase on Friday and Saturday. Elmira, Oswego, and St. John's are joining Utica in this year's tournament field.