UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's hockey team will host the Manhattanville College Valiants in the UCHC Semifinals on Saturday, February 25 at 7 p.m. at the Adirondack Bank Center.
 
Follow Along: Fans unable to attend can keep up with live video and/or stats at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/utica/. 
 
Last Time Out: The team defeated the Arcadia University Knights 5-2 in the UCHC Quarterfinals on Wednesday night. Five different players scored for the Pioneers in the game: Matt Wood (Garnet Valley, PA/Richmond Generals (USPHL)), Justin Allen (Hilton, NY/Rochester Monarchs (NCDC)), Mic Curran (Arlington, MA/Curry College (CCC)), Remy Parker (Montclair, NJ/University of Maine (NCAA DI)) and Dante Zapata (Huntington Beach, CA/Austin Bruins (NAHL)). Jayson Dobay (Weymouth, MA/Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)) and Kimball Johnson (Coppell, TX/University of St. Thomas (NCAA DI)) finished tied for a team-high two assists. In goal, Bryan Landsberger (Montreal, Quebec/Nepean Raiders (CCHL)) notched 17 saves en route to his 23rd win of the year. The first period featured plenty of fast paced action with both teams firing off shots and getting active on the boards. Utica recorded 18 shots and Arcadia had nine shots in the frame. Connor Fedorek (Bethel Park, PA/Ferris State University (NCAA DI)) led the way with three shots while four Pioneers rifled two. Remy Parker (Montclair, NJ/University of Maine (NCAA DI)) scored his remarkable 22nd goal of the season at the 17:52 mark to give Utica a 1-0 lead. Kimball Johnson (Coppell, TX/University of St. Thomas (NCAA DI)) and Jayson Dobay (Weymouth, MA/Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)) assisted the goal. In the waning seconds Arcadia had a breakaway in which Dylan Florit put back a rebound to tie the game with just two seconds left in the first period. The game would remain tied at 1-1 heading into the first intermission. The second frame was full of goals as four pucks found their way into the back of the net. Arcadia kept its momentum going and again scored off a rebound just 18 seconds into the period to take a 2-1 edge. Yet, the Pioneers took momentum back scoring three straight goals. Matt Wood (Garnet Valley, PA/Richmond Generals (USPHL)) scored at the 2:53 mark and was assisted by Dante Zapata (Huntington Beach, CA/Austin Bruins (NAHL)) to even the game at 2-2. Just moments later on a power play at the 5:34 mark, Justin Allen (Hilton, NY/Rochester Monarchs (NCDC)) sniped one from near the blue line to give Utica a 3-2 advantage. Conor Fedorek and Regen Cavanagh (Chesapeake, VA/Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)) assisted the goal. The Pioneers kept the pressure on and the puck in the attacking zone and Mic Curran (Arlington, MA/Curry College (CCC)) found the back of the net at the 7:49 mark off beautiful passes from Jayson Dobay (Weymouth, MA/Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)) and Brandon Ossmundson. Utica took the momentum and a 4-2 edge into the final period of play. The Pioneers added one more in the third period when Dante Zapata (Huntington Beach, CA/Austin Bruins (NAHL)) scored the team's third power play goal of the night to help lift the team to the quarterfinal win.
 
Game Sponsor: Helio Health will serve as the presenting sponsor of Utica's UCHC Semifinal contest. Their mission is to promote recovery from the effects of substance use and mental health disorders and other health issues. Helio Health's 24 hour lines can be reached at 315-471-1564. 
 
Shining When the Lights are Bright: Zapata has scored four straight points dating back to last season's UCHC Tournament. In the first round against Lebanon Valley College, he dished out three apples and two goals going 13-18 from the face. In the semifinal against Manhattanville College, he recorded one assist, winning 12-15 at the faceoff. Against Wilkes University in the final, he secured 17 of 27 at the face and tallied one point. Graduate Student Justin Allen (Hilton, NY/Rochester Monarchs (NCDC)) has five points leading the way for a defense that has allowed seven goals dating back to last season's playoff final. He recorded two assists in the first round against LVC, one against Manhatanville in a 4-0 shutout and another two against Wilkes in the final. Another defenseman, Jayson Dobay (Weymouth, MA/Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)) dished out a six piece and one goal in the first round. In the championship, he had two assists. Goaltender Bryan Landsberger (Montreal, Quebec/Nepean Raiders (CCHL)) recorded his 23rd win of the season. In his first career playoff start, he recorded 17 saves with a .924 save percentage. 
 
About Manhattanville: The Valiants were 14-10-2 in the regular season and 12-7-1 which earned them the four seed in the UCHC Tournament. The team beat fifth seed Wilkes University 4-1 on Wednesday night in the UCHC Quarterfinals. The Valiants have a very balanced offense with seven players with fifteen or more points and three of those players have over 20. AJ Bella leads the team with 12 goals and Mason Emoff is second with 11. Artem Mateichenko is the team's top facilitator with 18 assists this season. James Gregory is another top playmaker with 16 assists this season and looks to create close quarters scoring opportunities. Sebastian Woods is the team's top goaltender with 552 saves, a .920 save percentage and 12-4-2 record. 
 
Head-to-Head: The Pioneers are 32-23-5 all-time against Manhattanville and are in the midst of an eight game winning streak against the Valiants. Utica swept the season series, beating the Valiants 3-0 on January 6 and 5-4 on January 7 after the Pioneers rallied back from a 3-1 deficit. 

Up Next: The winner will advance to the UCHC Championship game on Saturday, March 4 with the time to be determined. If Utica wins, the UCHC Championship will be at the Adirondack Bank Center.